Nix comes up short in Heisman race
Though he came close, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix ultimately finished third in the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels was announced as the winner at a ceremony in New York on Saturday, while Michael Penix Jr. of Washington finished second.
Nix, a 23-year-old senior from Pinson, Alabama, received the most Heisman votes since Oregon’s Marcus Mariota won the award in 2014, with 885 total points. Daniels received 2,029 to win the award, while Penix received 1,701 points. Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. finished fourth with 352 points.
When asked about his chances at winning Oregon’s second Heisman Trophy, Nix said he was just happy to be attending the ceremony.
“I think that award goes beyond numbers,” Nix said this week. “What you do on the field and with your team.
Just to be a finalist is a tremendous accolade. With it being a team game, it’s just all about winning football games. But it is fun to have success for your teammates and put them in a good position. Fortunately, for me, I was around a really good team.”
Nix is one of the most decorated Duck quarterbacks ever and led one of the most efficient and explosive offenses in program history, throwing for careerbests in yards (4,145), completion percentage (77.2%), touchdowns (40), and total completions (336).
The Pac-12 offensive player of the year led the country in completion percentage, completions, and passing touchdowns en route to an 11-2 season. Nix’s 77.2% completion percentage is just 0.2% lower than Alabama quarterback Mac Jones’ 77.4% single season record, set in 2020.
Bo Nix on his time with Oregon football: ‘A breath of fresh air’
Nix was accompanied by his parents, Patrick and Krista, and his wife, Izzy, during the interview portion of the ceremony.
“I just remember all those times you know with my dad in the backyard, up at the school or in a gym somewhere in Scottsboro, Alabama, where we would go throw,” Nix said Saturday night. “It wasn’t always the most fun being coached by your dad because he was relatively hard on me. But at the same time I don’t think I would have been able to make it here without him, make it without my mom’s prayers and without Izzy’s support. Realistically I’m just sitting up on stage and really thrilled to be here. It’s just a surreal moment because you know it’s just one of my goals, one of the things I always wanted to do. And now I’m here.”
Earlier in the ceremony, Nix was introduced by Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner. Tebow asked Nix about finding a new family with the Oregon Ducks after transferring from Auburn.
“It was like a breath of fresh air, all the resources and everything that Oregon has, it was just the best choice that I could have made,” Nix said. “From teammates, coaches, staff, administration, I felt like they had it all.”
What’s next for Nix
Nix will lead the No. 8 Ducks in the Fiesta Bowl in his last college game, making his 61st career start – an NCAA record – against No. 23 Liberty on New Year’s Day in Glendale, Arizona.
Nix is a projected top NFL draft pick, where many think he will go in the first round and play on Sundays next season.