The Oregon Ducks are still not sure who will be under center for the football team in 2023, with Bo Nix still undecided whether he will forego his eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL draft or if he will return for another go round in Eugene.
While Nix remains active in recruiting other players to join the Ducks next season, he acknowledged part of his decision revolves around the uncertainty of where he could end up going in the NFL draft – and how that compares to what he earns at Oregon through NIL deals.
“I think it’s tough because in my situation you can hear all sorts of things from where you could get drafted,” Nix told reporters on Friday. “I think that’s what kind of makes it, not confusing, but it makes you have a lot of decisions because you don’t know when you’re going to be drafted. And so then you got to compare your situation to college. And the value in the two decisions.”
If fans needed a reminder about the changing tides of college athletics in 2022, this certainly offers that. In previous years the decision a college athlete makes at this stage revolves around either making money in the pros, or staying in college and, well, not making money. At least not legally.
Now, players like Nix are trying to factor in NIL consideration along with potential draft stock to make the decision that best suits their needs, not just personally but financially as well.
Nix, who is still battling an ankle injury, is obviously a crucial piece for this Oregon team if he were to return for next season. A Heisman Trophy candidate before getting hurt against Washington, Nix would immediately put the Ducks in the conversation for a Pac-12 Championship and perhaps even a CFP spot next year should he return.
But, the allure of an NFL career is clearly tough to pass up, even without the financial aspect playing as big a role.
“There’s value in both,” Nix continued. “I don’t think I can make a bad decision.”
The Ducks take on North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl on December 28.
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