IRVING, Texas — The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame has announced Oregon quarterback Bo Nix as one of 16 finalists for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
The 16 finalists were selected from a record number of 201 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA. Each finalist will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.
The winner of the 34th Campbell Trophy – known as the “academic Heisman” – will be declared at the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 5, and his postgraduate scholarship will increase to $25,000.
Nix becomes the fourth Campbell Trophy finalist in program history, joining fellow quarterbacks Bill Musgrave, Dennis Dixon and Justin Herbert. Herbert became the first Oregon winner of the honor in 2019, taking home the 30th annual Campbell Trophy.
Candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2023 season or be a graduated player who has been enrolled in school at least three years; must have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; must have outstanding football ability as a starter/significant contributor; and must have exhibited exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.
Bo Nix, QB – University of Oregon3.62 GPA – CommunicationsHead Coach: Dan Lanning | Athletics Director: Rob MullensFaculty Athletics Representative: Joshua GordonRecipient of the Coach Bobby Bowden Scholar-Athlete Award,Endowed by Phil Knight and Nike One of the best quarterbacks in the nation having passed for more than 12,000 career yards, Bo Nix has a competitive edge that has transcended the football field, manifesting itself in the classroom where he maintained a 3.62 undergraduate GPA. The Pinson, Alabama, native now becomes the Duck’s fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete, including 2019 Campbell Trophy® winner Justin Herbert. Graduating magna cum laude from Auburn in 2021 (where he was the three-year starting quarterback from 2019-21), Nix is currently pursuing a master’s in public relations. A 2022 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll member, Nix was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times while playing at Auburn. In his first season with the Ducks, Nix led Oregon to a 10-3 record, a victory in the Holiday Bowl and a No. 15 final ranking in 2022. At Auburn, he quarterbacked the Tigers to three-consecutive bowl appearances, including the 2002 Outback Bowl and a No. 14 final ranking, the 2021 Citrus Bowl and the 2021 Birmingham Bowl. He was the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for Auburn since 1946. A three-year captain (two years at Oregon and one at Auburn) and a four-letterman, Nix landed All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention honors and vied as a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2022. At Auburn, he was a 2020 Third Team All-SEC selection and the 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year. In 2022, Nix accounted for 4,103 total yards of offensive, averaging 315.6 yards per game, ranking 12th in the nation. His 44 total touchdowns last season (29 passing, 14 rushing and one receiving) placed him fifth in the nation among all FBS players. He was the only FBS player in 2022 (and one of only eight since 2000) to record at least 29 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns in a season. His 71.9 completion percentage last season set a Ducks’ record and was the second best in the nation. At Auburn, he passed for 7,251 yards, ranking third in Tiger annals, and 39 touchdowns, placing him fifth in school history. In 2023, he has passed for 2,089 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns, making him the first player in FBS history to produce 55 touchdowns with two different programs. On Oct. 21, he notched his 54th career start, setting a new NCAA record for career starts by a quarterback. Active in the community, Nix participated in the first-ever Cleat Crew program to raise support for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart in Eugene, and he has also teamed up with the ALS Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington to pledge money for every touchdown he scores to support programs and services for individuals and families affected by ALS. Nix has hosted a football camp for kids, participated in multiple reading nights and other activities at local elementary schools; and assisted with the Food for Lane County outreach event. Nix married Izzy Smoke on July 7, 2022.
