Former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix, who transferred to Oregon prior to the 2022 season, was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
The Denver Broncos selected Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the draft:
https://twitter.com/oregonfootball/status/1783680830659031064
Bo Nix’s message to Broncos Country:
“I am so excited to be a Bronco. This is such a dream come true. From Day 1, Denver was my No. 1”
“Broncos Country, let’s go!”
(Via @BoNix10 IG) pic.twitter.com/847Hnl8z63
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) April 26, 2024
Nix was the sixth quarterback off the board in the draft, coming in the first half. The number tied the overall first round record of six, which was set in 1983.
It wasn’t a huge shock to see Nix selected at the point he was after the Atlanta Falcons shockingly made Nix’s former rival, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 overall selection and Nix was the only first-round talent left on the board.
Nix was a standout at Pinson Valley High School before playing his first three college seasons at Auburn where his father was a star quarterback.
Things never fully clicked for him on The Plains, however, and injuries derailed his final season at Auburn.
After transferring to Oregon, Nix’s college career took off under head coach Dan Lanning.
Following a solid 2022 in which he threw for nearly 3,600 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, Nix seemed poised to break out in 2023 and he did just that.
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He put up mind boggling numbers this past season with 4,500 yards, 45 touchdowns, and just three interceptions along with another six rushing touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named a Heisman finalist where he finished third behind winner Jayden Daniels and second place Penix Jr.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that Nix was the quarterback he wanted all along and praised Nix’s accuracy, arm strength, and intelligence after Denver made the selection.
Nix will enter a situation in Denver in which he will immediately compete for the staring job in a room with another former Auburn gunslinger in Jarrett Stidham as well as former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, whose career with the Jets flamed out after three seasons.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
