Bo Nix, the quarterback for the Oregon Ducks, has experienced one of the most unusual college football journeys in recent memory. After completing his fifth season of eligibility in 2023, the 23-year-old Heisman finalist made records with 61 career starts and more than 16,000 total yards between Auburn and Oregon. But how precisely did Nix play for so long in college basketball? And if things don’t work out, might he possibly return to Eugene for an unprecedented sixth year with the 2024 NFL Draft approaching?

The NCAA’s unique COVID-19 eligibility waiver, which lets Nix play an additional year, holds the key to the solution. Now that his tortuous college career has ended, Nix must make a crucial choice regarding his football career.

Nix’s NFL draft outlook & potential Oregon return

Nix’s exceptional result, experience, and physical attributes make him one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft, according to all accounts. Many analysts believe he could start in the NFL, and early mock selections have him going anywhere from late first to early second round. Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner, is ahead of Nix in the QB prospect rankings, but a successful pre-draft procedure could boost Nix’s value.

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However, some scouts still question Nix’s NFL readiness as a processor and pocket passer after playing QB-friendly offenses at Oregon. If Nix were to slip in the draft or go unselected, could he potentially return to Eugene for a sixth season?

The short answer is no. The NCAA’s bonus COVID year was a one-time exception – Nix has no remaining college eligibility after exhausting his five years. Even if he’s not drafted as high as expected or at all, his only options would be to sign somewhere as an undrafted free agent or potentially join an alternative pro league. A return to Oregon is not on the table.

Read more: Who Are the Parents of Bo Nix? A Glimpse Into the Family and Childhood That Molded the Quarterback

So, how did Nix end up playing five college seasons in the first place? It’s a unique story that spans two schools, a transfer portal odyssey, and a pandemic-altered eligibility timeline. Let’s rewind to where it all began.

Bo Nix’s circuitous college path

Nix’s journey started at Auburn, where he arrived in 2019 as a five-star recruit and the No. 1 dual-threat QB in the nation. The son of former Tigers quarterback Patrick Nix, Bo was a legacy recruit who became Auburn’s first true freshman starter since 1946. He led the Tigers to a 9-4 record and Iron Bowl win over Alabama as a freshman, throwing for 2,542 yards and 16 TDs en route to SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

However, Nix struggled with consistency over his next two seasons at Auburn, throwing for 4,957 combined yards, 23 TDs, and 10 INTs as a sophomore and junior. He was briefly benched in 2021 before suffering a season-ending broken ankle. Nix later described his final year with the Tigers as “miserable” and entered the transfer portal after the 2021 campaign.

After transferring, Bo Nix excelled at Oregon, where in 2022, he led the country with 43 touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 71.9%. In 2023, as a fifth-year senior, he finished third in the Heisman voting and set Pac-12 records with 4,508 throwing yards and 51 touchdowns. The NCAA’s COVID waiver made his remarkable 5-year, 61-game college career that spanned Auburn and Oregon possible. Will Nix’s prolific 5-year, 61-game college odyssey translate to NFL success?

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