[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
We aren’t even sure that Bo Nix is going to be the starting quarterback for the Oregon Ducks in the 2022 season, but the national media is not letting that stop them from predicting the impact that he will eventually have on the team.
After transferring to Eugene from the Auburn Tigers, Nix has a chance to take over the Ducks’ offense with two years of eligibility left, while relishing the opportunity to work under offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham once again. Dillingham was the Auburn OC in Nix’s freshman season, which was the best statistical year of his career.
When looking at the college football landscape over the next year, ESPN decided to share which players are the biggest instant-impact newcomers for the top-25. For Oregon, which is ranked 12th in ESPN’s ‘Way-too-Early Top-25,‘ the answer is Bo Nix.
Oregon’s new offensive coordinator, Kenny Dillingham, is being reunited with Nix in Eugene. Dillingham coached Nix at Auburn for Nix’s freshman season, the best season of his career when he threw for 2,542 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. This season’s starter, Anthony Brown, won’t be back next season, and Robby Ashford entered the transfer portal, leaving Ty Thompson and Jay Butterfield as the quarterbacks Nix will compete with.
But again, we can’t be so sure that Nix will become the starter. After Ty Thompson came to Eugene in 2021 as the highest-rated QB in school history, much of the fan base has been pleading with a chance to see what he can do. They were denied that opportunity by Mario Cristobal and his former staff. However, we will get to see a competition play out between Nix and Thompson throughout the spring.
Then we will get a chance to see how much of an instant impact Nix will have.
[listicle id=16117]