Why did Bo Nix transfer to Oregon from Auburn? Explaining QB’s move from SEC to Pac-12

Bo Nix established himself in Auburn football history as soon as he stepped on the field at AT&T Stadium in 2019. His first game, Nix led the Tigers to a 27-21 win over none other than Oregon.

His freshman season was one to remember. He earned SEC Freshman of the Year, defeated Alabama in the Iron Bowl and helped Auburn to a 9-4 record. The Tigers finished the season ranked No. 14.

The next two seasons, Auburn couldn’t find the same success. In 2020, it narrowly finished above .500, going 6-5 in a newly structured season for the pandemic. The program’s downward trend continued once again the next year with an added touch of injury. Nix played his final game in blue and orange against Mississippi State in November when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

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A week before Auburn’s bowl game, Nix announced he was trading Southern hospitality for the Pacific Northwest and joined the Ducks’ program.

Why did Bo Nix transfer to Oregon?

During his time at Auburn, Nix played for three head coaches. He reported to Gus Malzahn for his first two seasons, but Kevin Steele took over as interim head coach for Auburn’s bowl game in 2020. Bryan Harsin took over for Nix’s final season. The quarterback later stated that he was “miserable” during this time.

At first, Oregon may have seemed like an odd choice for someone who spent his whole life in SEC country.

“Why not Oregon?” Nix told reporters. “That’s what I told a lot of people. [Oregon] always has great talent. Always well-coached in a good conference. Each and every year they’re always a team that can be in the College Football Playoff, and so that was intriguing.”

Nix would be pushed outside his comfort zone in some ways, but he found familiarity in Oregon’s new coaching staff. Georgia’s defensive coordinator Dan Lanning was taking over as head coach, and Kenny Dillingham was joining the Ducks as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, a position he held at Auburn in 2019.

The Ducks finished 10-3 under Nix. He led them to the Holiday Bowl where they got a win, his first bowl-game victory, over North Carolina. He finished the year with 29 touchdowns and 3,593 passing yards.

Nix wasn’t done after one season in Eugene. He announced his return for his fifth year of eligibility before playing the Tar Heels.

“There is nothing like a Saturday in Autzen Stadium in front of the best fans in college football,” Nix said in a video announcing his return. “There’s nothing like playing for my coaches and going to battle with my teammates. There’s nothing like being an Oregon Duck. For 2023, I’m back.”

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Who is Bo Nix?

In some ways, Nix was going to be a legacy at Auburn. His father, Patrick Nix, was a quarterback for the Tigers in the 1990s. He cheered for the Tigers while growing up in Pinson, Ala., northwest of Birmingham.

He was a five-star recruit out of a high school and was the No. 1 dual threat quarterback of his class. He earned the state’s Mr. Football award, Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year and Under Armour All-America honors his senior year at Pinson Valley High School.

When his first season rolled around on the Plains, Nix beat out Joey Gatewood for the starting position, becoming the first true freshman quarterback at Auburn to start a season opener since 1946.

Now in his second season at Oregon, Nix is a top contender for the Heisman Trophy. He has eight touchdowns on 893 passing yards and no interceptions through three games. Oregon is currently ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll and opens its final Pac-12 season against No. 19 Colorado.

Bo Nix stats