One of the most decorated quarterbacks in recent college football history, Bo Nix is experiencing success on the NFL stage in his rookie season with the Denver Broncos. A matchup with the Buffalo Bills awaits in the first round of the NFL playoffs.
The path Nix took throughout his college career has set him up for this very moment.
Bo Nix Looks Ahead Toward NFL Postseason Debut Following Record-Setting CFB Career
Nix has had a tremendous rookie season leading the Broncos, putting himself squarely in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Behind him, Denver claimed the final spot in the AFC’s playoff picture, setting up a Wild Card round matchup against the No. 2-seeded Bills.
Nix posted an electric hype video to his social media accounts ahead of the matchup.
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Before his rookie season success, Nix was a phenomenal, record-setting college quarterback.
A four-star prospect out of high school, Nix began his career with the Auburn Tigers. He was named the starter ahead of his true freshman season — and thrown right into the fire.
In the first game of the season, at AT&T Stadium, the Tigers matched up with the No. 11 ranked Oregon Ducks led by quarterback Justin Herbert. Nix stood toe-to-toe with the eventual sixth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Although he completed only 13 of 31 passes, Nix flashed the guts and clutch playmaking ability that he soon became known for. Down 21-20, the game came down to one last Auburn drive. With nine seconds remaining, Nix threw a 26-yard game-winning touchdown pass, vaulting the Tigers to a win.
Nix started three seasons with the Tigers, passing for 7,251 yards, good for third in school history. His 39 passing touchdowns tied for fifth.
Looking for an opportunity to compete for a championship, Nix decided to transfer to Oregon for his final two seasons.
He had instant success, leading the Ducks to a 10-3 2022 season capped off with a Holiday Bowl victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels. He threw for a career-high 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also added 510 yards and 14 touchdowns with his legs.
Then, in 2023, Nix took his level of play to a record-breaking level.
Setting single-season school records in passing yards (4,508) and passing touchdowns (45), Nix had a historic final season of college football. He also set the single-season record for highest completion percentage in the history of the sport at 77.4%.
Nix’s success went hand-in-hand with team success. The Ducks went 12-0 against every other team besides the Washington Huskies. In mid-October, an errant field-goal attempt led to a 36-33 loss. Then, in the Pac-12 Championship, another three-point loss to the Huskies knocked Oregon out of the running for the College Football Playoff.
But it wasn’t Nix’s fault.
In the two games, he completed 54 of 78 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns to only one interception. He added 83 yards on the ground, leading the team in rushing yards in the Pac-12 title game.
Nix’s final game was a five-touchdown masterpiece against the No. 23 ranked Liberty Flames in the Fiesta Bowl — a 45-6 drubbing in favor of the Ducks. After only two seasons, Nix established himself as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Oregon football history and left as the sixth-winningest QB in school history with 22 wins.
Nix carried those winning ways to the pros. As the No. 12 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nix was once again thrown into the fire by head coach Sean Payton, starting all 17 games.
It paid off once again.
A 10-win regular season and a playoff berth followed. Nix’s 29 touchdown passes ranked sixth in the NFL and were just two shy of the rookie record of 31 set by Herbert.
As the Broncos prepare to face the Bills, they know they have their quarterback for the future. And if the past is any preview, Nix will step up to the plate and deliver when the lights are brightest.
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