It’s not often that a quarterback-wide receiver duo is drafted by the same team — much less a pair of college teammates who broke records together. However, that’s just what former Oregon Ducks Bo Nix and Troy Franklin have done, and they have continued to break records at the next level.
Bo Nix, Troy Franklin Make NFL History After Excelling as Oregon Duck Teammates
In the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs, quarterback Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos faced off against the Buffalo Bills, trying to unseat the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture.
On the first drive of the game, Nix and the Broncos reached the Bills’ territory, with the ball sitting at the Buffalo 43-yard line. Nix stood in the shotgun. At the snap, he took a five-step drop, rearing to throw it deep. He launched a beautiful throw that landed directly in the Broncos receiver’s arms as he crossed the goal line.
The 43-yard touchdown was caught by none other than Nix’s college teammate with the Oregon Ducks, wide receiver Troy Franklin. It didn’t just give Denver a 7-0 lead — it also made NFL history as the first rookie-to-rookie touchdown in NFL playoff history.
BO TO FRANKLIN FOR SIX!
📺: #DENvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/NlPLNlHQI8— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
It’s not the first touchdown they’ve connected on in their careers. In fact, it’s the 23rd. The duo spent two seasons together with the Ducks, wreaking havoc upon opposing defenses.
Franklin joined the Ducks as a freshman ahead of the 2021 season, in which he totaled just over 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Nix arrived in Eugene, Ore., after three seasons as the starter for the Auburn Tigers — immediately lifting Franklin’s level of play.
While catching passes from Nix in 2022, Franklin enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, achieving second-team All-Pac 12 honors. He caught 61 passes for 891 yards and nine touchdowns. Nix threw for 3,594 yards, good for sixth in program history.
They reached another level in 2023, as both were selected as first-team All-Pac 12 members. Franklin set a school record for receiving touchdowns in a season with 14, while Nix set Oregon single-season records in passing yards (4,508) and passing touchdowns (45).
Nix was invited to New York to take part in the Heisman ceremony; he finished in third place. The Ducks finished the season with a 12-2 record in large part due to the dynamic duo of Nix and Franklin.
Both declared for the 2024 NFL Draft following the season. On the first day of the draft, the Broncos selected Nix with the 12th pick, securing their quarterback of the future. Two days later, Franklin joined Nix in Denver after being selected in the fourth round by the Broncos, reuniting the record-setting duo in the pros.
Nix has lived up to expectations, putting himself squarely in the conversation for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He threw 29 touchdown passes, good for sixth in the league, and led the Broncos to their first playoff berth since 2015.
Franklin has come on a bit slower, tallying 28 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns across 16 games. Nix has repeatedly expressed his confidence in Franklin.
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If their playoff connection is any preview of the future, it’s looking bright in Denver for the former Ducks duo as they continue their record-breaking ways in the NFL.
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