Column: It’s about time that we had a new conversation about Oregon QB Bo Nix

There was a mixed reaction for Oregon Duck fans when former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix announced that he was packing his bags for Eugene and joining the Ducks via the transfer portal on December 19 of last year.

The reactions were understandable and justified, of course. I mean…this was Bo Nix, the same quarterback who briefly derailed Oregon’s 2019 season as a freshman by upsetting Justin Herbert and the Ducks in the opener. After that, the Auburn prodigy’s career faced a lot of ups and downs. He briefly showed flashes of brilliance, bringing back memories of that SEC Freshman of the Year season. More often, though, he cobbled together anti-highlights, making it easy for nicknames like “Bo Pix” or “Bad Bo” to be thrust upon him.

That’s what was coming to Eugene? That’s what Oregon fans had to look forward to after gritting their teeth through a year of Anthony Brown attempting to run Mario Cristobal’s vanilla offense? Were the Ducks really trading a boring old trip down the lazy river for seats on a roller coaster where the safety belt might be malfunctioning?

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It’s a deal that Oregon fans weren’t too thrilled about at the time, but now, after 4 games, I’m sure many are quick to forget about their hesitations. There’s no other way to say it — Bo Nix has been a fantastic player for the Ducks so far this year.

The Bo Nix experience was on full display for the Ducks against Washington State. It featured one of the best games of his career — 428 yards and 3 TD on 33-of-44 (75%) passing. It also featured one of the worst throws he’s ever made — a telegraphed pick-six that went 98-yards in the opposite direction for the Cougars.

“Bo did a great job,” head coach Dan Lanning said after the game, a 44-41 win. “He can’t get much worse than throwing pick-six as a quarterback, and to respond the way he responded and our team responds to Bo the way they responded, I think that shows the ultimate confidence that this team has in Bo.”

Aside from the offensive struggles in the red zone, and of course the egregious pick, Nix was nothing short of great on Saturday. His stat line was impressive no matter who you play, let alone against a defense that ranks inside the top-20 in most categories.

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If you want to harp on his interception, I will not stop you. It was a telegraphed pass on a bad play call that will go on the teaching tape for young quarterbacks to learn what not to do in the red zone. Those are the type of plays we knew came with the Bo Nix package, though, and to be honest, we’ve seen fewer through 4 games than I would have expected. He may have an errant pass every so often, or try to force a ball into coverage, but those are things that any college QB is going to give you. You take those things.

It’s the other things that Nix brings to the table that I wasn’t aware were ever a possibility.

After four weeks, I think it’s time we start having a new conversation about the Oregon QB. He’s earned that, at the very least.

Put aside the “bad Bo is still lurking” talk and look at things objectively for a second. Working under offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, it appears Nix is comfortable and confident, and he’s willing to push the ball down the field when the defense gives it to him. Can he continue to improve? Of course. Every QB has numerous throws per game that they want back. The ceiling that we’ve seen from No. 10 through these first four games though has been remarkable, and completely unexpected if I’m being honest.

When Nix came to Oregon, everyone was aware of the downside that came with him. Duck fans knew that turnovers could be plentiful, and part of the frustration at the signing was the fact that his upside didn’t do much to thrill you. They thought they were in for another mediocre year with frustrating quarterback play.

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That’s where everyone was wrong, though. Because while turnovers are still lurking at times, the ceiling that Nix has shown this season has been remarkable. Through 4 games he has 1,100 yards, 10 TDs, and 3 INTs on a completion percentage of 71.9%. On top of that, he’s rushed for 120 yards and 3 TD as well.

I’m not sure what your expectations were going into the season, but that is far and beyond what I had in mind.

Save your Heisman Trophy talk or predictions that Nix will be a first-round draft pick. I’m not arguing for either of those things just yet. I simply want Oregon fans to take a second and reassess their thoughts on the quarterback.

Ask yourself a question really quickly. If Ty Thompson had this team at 3-1 with the same stats as Nix, and had just led a comeback victory with over 400 yard and 3 TD, what would you be saying? Would you be saying he’s the next great Oregon QB, or would you still be hesitant to give him his flowers?

We — and I’m including myself as a reporter too — were pretty tough on No. 10 when he came to Eugene. He was given a short leash, and at any sign of trouble, was asked to be benched in exchange for the unproven backup. Despite that pressure to succeed, Nix has gone above and beyond what was asked of him, and as a result, the Ducks are 3-1 with a boatload of momentum behind them.

I’m not saying he’s the next Marcus Mariota or Justin Herbert. But he damn sure deserves more credit than he’s been getting up and to this point.

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Story originally appeared on Ducks Wire