Ask any Denver Broncos fan today about Bo Nix, and they’ll probably point to his pinpoint accuracy or how he managed to snag a division title in his second pro season. But just a few years ago, the narrative around Nix was totally different. People were writing him off. He was "Bo Pix." He was the guy who couldn't quite live up to the impossible hype of being an Auburn legacy.
So, where did Bo Nix go to college? It’s not a one-word answer.
His journey is basically a tale of two very different football cultures. He spent three seasons at Auburn University before packing his bags and heading across the country to the University of Oregon. That move didn't just change his jersey; it saved his NFL prospects and rewritten the record books along the way.
The Auburn Years: Growing Up in the SEC Pressure Cooker
Bo Nix didn’t just choose Auburn; he was born into it. His dad, Patrick Nix, was a legendary quarterback for the Tigers in the 90s. When Bo showed up on campus in 2019, he wasn't just another recruit. He was the "Chosen One."
He started as a true freshman. That almost never happens in the SEC.
His first game was stuff of movies. He led a massive comeback win against—ironically—the Oregon Ducks. He won SEC Freshman of the Year that season, and it looked like he was on a fast track to a Heisman. But college football is rarely that simple.
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Over the next two years, things got rocky. Auburn's coaching staff went through a massive overhaul. Gus Malzahn was out, Bryan Harsin was in, and the offensive line was, honestly, struggling to keep Nix upright. By the time 2021 rolled around, Bo was playing through injuries and dealing with a rotating door of wide receivers. He was talented, sure, but he looked erratic. He was "forced" to play hero-ball, which usually leads to bad decisions and interceptions.
After the 2021 season, Nix realized something. If he wanted to make it to the league, he needed a fresh start. He had already graduated magna cum laude from Auburn with a degree in communications, so he took advantage of the NCAA’s COVID-19 eligibility waiver and hit the transfer portal.
The Oregon Transformation: Finding "Bo-Dacious"
When Nix landed in Eugene, Oregon, people were skeptical. Why would a Southern kid go to the Pacific Northwest for his final years of eligibility?
Basically, he wanted to play for Dan Lanning and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham (who had coached him back at Auburn in 2019). He wanted an offense that actually let him use his brain, not just his legs.
The results were insane.
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At Oregon, Nix turned into a completions machine. He stopped forcing the deep ball and started carving up defenses with efficiency. In 2023, he did something no one thought possible: he set the NCAA single-season record for completion percentage at 77.45%.
He wasn't just "good." He was dominant. He threw for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns with only three interceptions in his final year. He finished third in the Heisman voting and led the Ducks to a Fiesta Bowl win. By the time he left Oregon, he had started 61 games—the most in NCAA history for a quarterback.
Why the Move Mattered for His NFL Draft Stock
If Nix had stayed at Auburn, he might have been a late-round flyer or gone undrafted. Instead, he became the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton saw exactly what Oregon unlocked: a guy who could process information at lightning speed. Nix's college journey taught him how to handle the highest possible pressure (Auburn) and how to master a high-level technical offense (Oregon).
A Quick Look at the Stats
- Auburn (2019–2021): 34 starts, 39 passing TDs, 16 INTs.
- Oregon (2022–2023): 27 starts, 74 passing TDs, 10 INTs.
- NCAA Record: Most career starts by a QB (61).
It’s wild to think about. He played five full seasons of college ball. Most guys are lucky to get three. That extra time allowed him to develop the "old man" poise that has served him so well in Denver.
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What This Means for Future Transfer QBs
The Bo Nix story is basically the blueprint for the modern transfer portal. It's not about "quitting" on a school; it's about finding the right fit for your specific skill set. He loved Auburn—he’s said that a million times—but Oregon was where he learned how to be a professional.
If you're following a young quarterback who's struggling, look at Nix. He’s proof that a change of scenery isn't just a "reset"—sometimes it's the only way to reach the ceiling you were always supposed to have.
Keep an eye on his career stats as he continues to push the Broncos deeper into the 2026 postseason. His 24-10 record as a pro starter through early 2026 is a direct reflection of those 61 Saturdays he spent in the SEC and the Pac-12.
Take Action: If you're analyzing a player's draft potential, don't just look at their raw stats. Look at the offensive system they're in. As Nix showed us, a quarterback's "completion percentage" is often a reflection of the coaching as much as the player's arm. Check out the latest NCAA transfer portal trends to see which current quarterbacks might be following the "Nix Model" this off-season.