Bo Nix’s college career has been a roller-coaster. Traveling from the Plains at Auburn to the oasis at Oregon, the story of how the quarterback turned his career fortunes around will go down in college football history.
From heroism to outcast with the Tigers and Heisman finalist with the Ducks, no one has shown the value of the transfer portal in quite the way that Nix has. Setting records for both programs, this is the star QBs college stats and how he became one of the most statistically successful the sport has seen.
Bo Nix Wins Freshman of the Year in Rookie Season
Nix joined Auburn with the weight of the program on his shoulders. A record-setting high school QB in Alabama and a consensus five-star recruit, he was billed as the savior. His father, Patrick, was Auburn QB from 1992-1995, so the anticipation for Nix on the Plains was intense.
Stepping out of Pinson Valley High School, Ala., Nix was ready to fulfill his destiny. He was named the Tigers’ starting QB in his freshman season, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since 1946, marking the beginning of a promising career.
As a freshman, Nix proved his mettle, setting school records and leading Auburn to a 9-4 campaign, including a memorable win over their archrivals.
He was instrumental in the Iron Bowl victory over Alabama, completing 15 of his 30 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown. He also made his presence felt in the rushing game, with six attempts for 44 yards and one touchdown.
Nix’s outstanding performance in his first year, winning SEC Freshman of the Year and setting school records, only increased the magnetism of his appeal in Auburn, with expectations set even higher for his sophomore year.
Completions: 217
Attempts: 377
Yards: 2,542
Comp. %: 57.6%
TDs: 16
INTs: 6
Rush Attempts: 97
Rush Yards: 313
Rush TDs: 7
Nix’s Sophomore Season
Named team captain ahead of his sophomore season at Auburn, the anticipation for Nix was overwhelming. While his stats stayed relatively consistent, the allure faded, and the toll of carrying the fans’ expectations began taking effect.
Auburn finished 6-5 in Nix’s sophomore season, and while he was never the problem, he wasn’t the superhero many Tigers fans expected him to be.
Were the expectations set too high? Yes, but there were undoubtedly mitigating factors. The impact of COVID took its toll on the 2020 season, with no spring practice and the SEC only playing a 10-game regular season schedule.
Losses to Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Texas A&M meant Auburn fired long-time head coach Gus Malzhan at the end of the season. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele led the Tigers into the bowl game, which they lost to Northwestern.
Completions: 214
Attempts: 357
Yards: 2,415
Comp. %: 59.9%
TDs: 12
INTs: 7
Rush Attempts: 108
Rush Yards: 388
Rush TDs: 7
Nix’s Downfall With Auburn
2021 would end Nix’s college football journey at Auburn, with the quarterback ultimately becoming the scapegoat for the Tigers’ dreadful season. Bryan Harsin was hired as head coach following Malzahn’s firing, and he could never establish a connection with his signal-caller.
Nix’s play was sporadic, and he was benched in Auburn’s fourth game of the season in favor of T.J. Finley. The quarterback continued to fall in and out of favor with Harsin despite leading the Tigers to their first victory over Ole Miss since 1999.
However, Nix’s career at Auburn ended after he suffered a broken ankle against Mississippi State late in the season, requiring season-ending surgery. The quarterback, who entered the program with so much promise, was left humiliated and never given the respect he deserved on the Plains.
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Nix entered the transfer portal at the end of the season, ending his three-year career with the Tigers. During that time, he ranked third in program history in passing yards and started 34 consecutive games, the second-most in program history.
The former QB has since spoken out about the toxic atmosphere he experienced as a junior under Harsin. When interviewed by CBS, Nix expressed that he “just remember[s] kind of being miserable.”
Completions: 197
Attempts: 323
Yards: 2,294
Comp. %: 61.0%
TDs: 11
INTs: 3
Rush Attempts: 57
Rush Yards: 168
Rush TDs: 4
A New Beginning For Nix At Oregon
Nix crossed the country and headed to Oregon for his remaining two years of eligibility. The Ducks had just hired Dan Lanning, the former offensive coordinator at Georgia, who had witnessed Nix’s highs in the SEC.
In a new environment, Nix flourished. Finally realizing his potential, he transformed into a confident passer, renewed under the leadership of Lanning, and became one of the hottest quarterbacks in the country. He broke records at Oregon, becoming their all-time completion percentage leader (71.9%), which was second-best in the country.
Nix also became the first FBS player since 2000 to register 29 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns in a single season.
Completions: 294
Attempts: 409
Yards: 3,593
Comp. %: 71.9%
TDs: 29
INTs: 7
Rush Attempts: 89
Rush Yards: 510
Rush TDs: 14
Nix Challenges For the Heisman
Nix entered 2023 as one of the premier quarterbacks in the sport, with aspirations of leading the Ducks to the College Football Playoff.
Despite finishing 12-2 on the season, Oregon’s playoff aspirations were quashed by an unstoppable Washington Huskies program, who defeated the Ducks twice in 2023.
KEEP READING: Bo Nix Opens Up on His Final Season With Oregon
The Ducks were narrowly defeated both times, losing by just three points in both encounters. In the end, it was fine margins for Oregon, but for Nix, the season evolved into one of the greatest in program history, throwing for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Nix was voted Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and finished third in the Heisman voting, becoming only the fourth Duck to finish as a finalist (Marcus Mariota, 2014; LaMichael James, 2010; and Joey Harrington, 2001).
The 2023 season was the final hurrah of a turbulent career in which Nix started 61 college games, a new record in the sport. He also leaves Oregon as the single-season record holder in multiple categories, including completion percentage, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions.
Nix ends his career ranked sixth in passing yards in college football history and second in yards from scrimmage.
Completions: 364
Attempts: 470
Yards: 4,508
Comp. %: 77.4%
TDs: 45
INTs: 3
Rush Attempts: 54
Rush Yards: 234
Rush TDs: 6
Nix’s Final College Stats
Completions: 1,286
Attempts: 1,936
Yards: 15,352
Comp. %: 66.4%
TDs: 113
INTs: 26
Rush Attempts: 405
Rush Yards: 1,613
Rush TDs: 38
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