Bo Nix trying to win Oregon’s second Heisman in past nine years
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix scrambles for a first down during the second quarter of the Holiday Bowl against North Carolina Wednesday December 28, 2022 at Petco Park. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
The Duck gunslinger is coming off a marvelous season, and looking to accomplish a feat that’s been nine years in the making.
Bo Nix is literally a video game joystick with the way he creates explosive plays with the ball in his hands. It’s hard to argue against that when his stats this fall are through the roof. After all, Oregon (11-2) is second nationally in total and scoring offense. Nix leads the entire FBS in completion percentage, and is second in passing efficiency.
The former Auburn Tiger has had an amazing journey, and everything appears to be coming full circle for him this fall. Nix already was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and that’s a statement because he was able to do that in the toughest Power Five conference this season.
Nix was a finalist for the Walter Camp, Davey OBrien, Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm. Not to mention he was named the William V. Campbell Trophy winner. It is given annually to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. So that speaks volumes for his character on and off the field.
No doubt Nix is an absolute leader, and he makes others around him better. Over the past two seasons the former five-star prospect has generated a 21-5 record as Oregon’s starter. His jaw-dropping, 40 touchdown passes is tied for first nationally too. Oregon hasn’t had a Heisman Trophy winner since Marcus Mariota took home the hardware back in 2014. Many College football fanatics feel Nix is deserving of this year’s trophy. It helps that his production is flat-out insane.
Nix does have his critics though. He lost to Washington twice, including the head-to-head matchup with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Penix won the hardware and clinched the Playoff berth, so it’ll be an interesting ordeal with him sitting beside Nix in New York tonight. LSU’s quarterback Jayden Daniels, and Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., will also be in the building, and likely to pile up the votes themselves.
Winning the Heisman will be the cherry on top to Nix’s stellar career. The Alabama native single-handedly made Dan Lanning’s transition to becoming a smooth process. The Ducks didn’t win anything of merit this season, but without Nix they likely wouldn’t have made it to the Pac-12 Championship Game. Which means Nix brings the most value to his team and is responsible for most of Oregon’s success. So he’s definitely deserving of the most prestigious award in sports. If the award was based on a total body of work, Nix will take home the Heisman, no questions asked.
