A week after a dominant victory over Portland State, the Oregon Ducks are gearing up for a challenging non-conference clash against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.
But before the game, all eyes are on Oregon's talented quarterback, Bo Nix. Nix recently received recognition from Pro Football Focus's 2024 NFL Mock Draft, where he was ranked among the top 10 prospects. Trevor Sikkema placed Nix at an impressive No. 7 overall, projecting him to join the Las Vegas Raiders. As the third quarterback selected, he follows Caleb Williams from USC and Drake Maye from UNC. Michael Penix from Washington completes the top 10, making Nix the fourth quarterback predicted to go in the first round.
Nix, who transferred from Auburn, made an immediate impact under the guidance of former Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham. In his inaugural season as a Duck, Nix showcased his skills, throwing for an impressive 3,593 yards with 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He also demonstrated his versatility by rushing for 510 yards and scoring 14 rushing touchdowns.
Notably, Nix's 14 rushing touchdowns matched the school record set by former Heisman winner Marcus Mariota, solidifying his status as a dual-threat quarterback.
Despite facing a setback due to an on-field injury against Washington, Nix's performance still ranked among the best in the nation. With a formidable offensive line protecting him, Nix briefly entered the Heisman Trophy conversation, captivating fans with his extraordinary talent.
When discussing Nix's No. 7 ranking, Sikkema commented, "Nix's career at Auburn nearly erased him from all legitimate NFL draft conversations. But last season, he really turned things around and showed an ability to be a future NFL starter. His first week of this season was an easy one, as he earned a 74.7 passing grade with an 86.4% adjusted completion percentage against Portland. How he fares against tougher competition will tell us whether he can be a first-round quarterback."
Against Portland State, Nix continued to impress, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns with an impressive completion rate of 85.2%. The Ducks have undoubtedly relied on Nix's heroics on the field, and they are determined to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff after narrowly missing out last year.
Looking ahead, Nix emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and striving for perfection. "I think just the little things. As an offense going from playing sharp to really playing perfect football," Nix stated during Wednesday's practice before facing Texas Tech. "Playing sound, and playing really good with tags and routes and getting our depth, taking right drops, taking right footwork. Being perfect in those kinds of things would really help us be even sharper for the remainder of the season."
