Tag: Nix

Oct 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Reports: Broncos reach two-year deal with QB Jarrett Stidham

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Denver Broncos reached agreement on a two-year deal to retain quarterback Jarrett Stidham, according to multiple reports on Sunday night.

The Denver Post reported that the deal is worth up to $12 million with $7 million guaranteed.

Keeping Stidham was pivotal for the Broncos as they keep continuity in the quarterback room after Bo Nix stood out as a rookie last season.

Both Stidham and third-stringer Zach Wilson were slated to become free agents.

Stidham, 28, competed for the starting position last summer before it became clear to head coach Sean Payton that Nix was ready to play.

Nix performed so well as a rookie that Stidham never threw a pass last season. He appeared in three games.

In 2023, Stidham appeared in three games (two starts) for the Broncos and passed for 496 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Stidham entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2019. He has passed for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in 19 games (four starts) for the Patriots (2019-21), Las Vegas Raiders (2022) and Broncos.

Denver also agreed to a three-year deal with long snapper Mitchell Fraboni on Sunday. The Post said Fraboni’s deal is worth $4.175 million with $1.6 million guaranteed.

Fraboni, 28, is entering his fourth season with the Broncos.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Unbeaten Chiefs get first look at Broncos QB Bo Nix

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Quarterback Patrick Mahomes kept the Kansas City Chiefs perfect with an overtime win against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.

While Mahomes is dealing with a sore left ankle, he insists it won’t be a concern Sunday as the unbeaten Chiefs host the Denver Broncos.

“When you have a little bit of a roll, it’s a little bit sore,” Mahomes said of his ankle ailment, which he aggravated on Monday. “But I’m able to move around and look forward to getting out to practice and seeing how I can push it as the week goes on.”

Kareem Hunt scored a 2-yard touchdown run in OT to give the Chiefs a 30-24 victory and cap a 106-yard day on the ground.

Despite hobbling off the field against Tampa Bay due to the ankle injury that first occurred a week earlier, Mahomes went 34-for-44 for 291 yards and three touchdowns.

Recent acquisition DeAndre Hopkins had eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns while tight end Travis Kelce enjoyed his biggest game of the season, catching 14 passes for 100 yards.

Now Kansas City will take aim at AFC West rival Denver (5-4). Off to an 8-0 start for the third time in franchise history, the Chiefs enter with a 14-game winning streak dating to last year, including the postseason.

With Mahomes’ mobility possibly in question due to the ankle issue, the quality of the footing on the field might turn into an issue on Sunday. Not only is there a chance of rain this weekend in Kansas City, but the game will follow a Saturday college contest between Kansas and Iowa State at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Jayhawks are playing four games in Kansas City, Mo., this season (plus two in Kansas City, Kan.) as their campus venue in Lawrence, Kan., is renovated.

Kansas City boasts a stranglehold on the recent series with Denver, earning victories in 16 of the past 17 matchups since 2015. The only Broncos win in that span was the latest meeting, a 24-9 decision in October 2023 at Denver.

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix already figured to face an uphill climb in a hostile environment against the two-time reigning Super Bowl champs. The challenge could accelerate given the Chiefs’ successes against first-year signal-callers. Since 2019, Kansas City is 11-1 versus such passers, losing only to the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert during that run.

“I think these games are fun because there’s a level of excitement, a level of passion going into the game,” Nix said. “Again, I go back: These are the games you grew up watching and dreaming about playing, and so if you’re not ready for these games, you probably don’t belong in the league.”

With Baltimore Ravens counterpart Lamar Jackson posting a perfect 158.3 passer rating last week, Nix nearly was assured to look flawed by comparison. Nix passed for 223 yards and an interception in Denver’s 41-10 road defeat but caught a touchdown pass on a trick play.

“There are still so many learning moments for him,” Denver coach Sean Payton said. “In other words, each week is another classroom, another test, and I like the way he’s progressing. I like the poise after each series and after the game. You feel his maturity.”

The Chiefs had two players sit out practice on Wednesday: wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (knee). Mahomes was a full participant.

No Broncos were absent for all of practice on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Broncos’ Payton touts rookie QB Bo Nix’s processing skills

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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has been sacked seven times through his first five NFL games, but coach Sean Payton knows that total would be higher if not for the rookie’s ability to evade pass rushers.

Nix was sacked three times in the Broncos’ Week 5 win over Las Vegas, but that followed two games in which he wasn’t brought down once.

“My experience is — and it’s the hardest thing for us to evaluate with some of the college players — but getting through a progression quickly and a decision quickly is extremely helpful in avoiding taking unnecessary sacks,” Payton said on Wednesday. “If you’re processing slowly and you’re having to see it longer, then it’s just another ‘One Mississippi’ with the ball in your hands.

“His ability to process — aside from obviously he can move — but his ability to process helps that greatly.”

Nix’s escape skills could be put to their stiffest test yet against the Los Angeles Chargers. Right tackle Alex Palczewski and center Luke Wattenberg were held out of Wednesday’s practice with ankle injuries. And Palczewski is already filling in for regular starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee), who is eligible to return from injured reserve next week.

The Chargers enter with 11 sacks through four games, led by outside linebacker Khalil Mack’s 2.5. They’re also coming off their early-season bye week, although Los Angeles did list 17 players on Wednesday’s injury report.

“You can’t find explosive in the running game or the passing game,” Payton said of the Chargers’ pass rush. “They’re playing with real good technique. Then you have a real good scheme with talented players. After the touchdown reel, (I like to) look at the explosives and that reel ended quick. Quicker than I’m used to. Obviously with such a small sample size, we look at the preseason as well. They’ve done a good job.”

The Broncos made several roster moves on Wednesday, including adding veteran offensive tackle Cam Fleming to the practice squad while placing guard Will Sherman on injured reserve. They also elevated inside linebacker Levelle Baily to the active roster and added wide receivers A.T. Perry and Kaden Davis to the practice squad.

The Chargers did hold pass rusher Joey Bosa out of practice with a hip injury and his status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain. However, eight different Chargers have registered at least a half-sack this season.

While he has thrown four interceptions this season, Nix has yet to lose a fumble despite logging 31 carries. The Chargers are allowing an average of only 12.5 points per game and enter Week 6 with a plus-5 turnover margin.

“I think it’s just understanding timing, protections, getting the ball out and being on time,” Nix said of limiting sacks and turnovers. “Just not sitting back there and holding the ball. I took three (sacks) on Sunday, and I wish I could have a few of them back because sacks kill drives. It’s hard to overcome a sack, so I just try to avoid them.

“Obviously, you can’t not take sacks without having great protection from the (offensive) line. they’re doing a great job.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) huddles with teammates in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Broncos stand behind rookie QB, put RBs on alert

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Broncos head coach Sean Payton wants to see improvement from rookie quarterback Bo Nix, but he’s far more concerned with the impact of Denver’s flat-lined running game.

Javonte Williams is averaging 2.1 yards per carry, with 40 yards on 19 carries and zero gains longer than nine yards, as the Broncos started the season 0-2. Payton said it’s on the coaches and offensive line to a certain extent, but put Williams on notice entering Week 3.

“I saw it in training camp,” Payton said of Williams finding his groove. “I look forward to seeing it this season. In the meantime, some of these other guys are doing a good job. (RB) Jaleel [McLaughlin] is another one that needs more touches. We talked about (RB) Tyler Badie. You’re patient, and yet at some point — and it starts up front obviously — you want to see those runs.”

Badie had one carry for 16 yards Sunday in the loss to the Steelers. He could be a more significant factor soon. Payton said it’s his responsibility to find Badie touches.

“It’s something as a play caller, as someone who’s looking at the game, I’ve got to be able to see that,” Payton said of Badie’s one splash play Sunday. “He is a player though who had his name on a lot of different plays that either were red zone or situational plays that we weren’t able to get to. It’s not intentional. It’s not like, ‘Hey we’re not aware.’ You’re just into the flow of the game and you have to be better that way.”

Payton said Nix, who has four interceptions and a 51.0 passer rating, processed the game well against Pittsburgh, even if the results — including an ill-advised red zone throw that was intercepted — don’t make his growth evident.

“A couple of things you see on tape. You see early on us struggle inside which forces him out of the pocket. Then you do see later in the second half, a cleaner pocket and then him hurry it,” Payton said. “It’s developing the confidence of climbing, developing the confidence within the framework of your protection. He does have a good pocket presence for the most part. He’s not someone that’s just going to look to take off and look to scramble. So we’ve got to build on that and make sure it kind of begins with that, relative to the design of what you’re trying to do in the drop-back passing game.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Sean Payton: Broncos ‘need to be better around’ QB Bo Nix

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Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was generally pleased with the performance of rookie quarterback Bo Nix after watching film of the team’s 26-20 loss at Seattle on Sunday.

It’s the group around Nix that he said needs to perform better.

“I think when I watch this tape offensively, we need to be better around him, and we will be,” Payton said on Monday.

Nix completed 26 of 42 passes for 138 yards and no touchdowns while getting intercepted twice. He did score the Broncos’ lone touchdown on a 4-yard scramble in the fourth quarter to cut the Seahawks’ lead to six points.

That Nix led the Broncos with 35 rushing yards was at the core of Payton’s issues. Running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for only 50 yards on 18 carries.

Payton’s game plan involved running the ball effectively in order to keep Nix in manageable down-and-distance situations. However, with the inability to establish the run compounded by falling behind multiple scores in the second half, Nix was forced to throw into the teeth of the Seahawks’ secondary.

“I said it yesterday (and) I’ll say it again. One of the key things that was important in this game is winning the run game battle, and we weren’t able to do that,” Payton said. “We struggled and in that inefficiency on first and second down, it was one of our keys to victory and we were anything but.”

Of Nix’s 138 passing yards, 54 came on the Broncos’ final two drives with Denver trailing by 13 points. One drive ended in an interception, while Nix punctuated the other with his touchdown run.

“Certainly, when we watched this game tape and evaluate the cue, there’s a number of things that we’ll get cleaned up and corrected,” Payton said.

The Broncos’ second-year coach said the pass protection and run blocking “wasn’t good enough,” while pointing to several missed reads on running lanes that were available. Payton also said Nix was hampered by multiple drops from his receivers.

“There may be a game where we plan on throwing it 40 times, not many. So often times, time of possession and runs in the fourth quarter, if you’re up by 10 or more, can get skewed a little bit in your favor, but this is the game where it’s the opposite,” Payton said. “You’re having to throw it to get back in it late.”

The Broncos did come out of the game largely healthy, with Payton saying that X-rays and an MRI for a contusion on offensive tackle Garett Bolles’ leg came back negative.

–Field Level Media

Aug 11, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) points during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos keep 3 quarterbacks while getting to 53-man roster

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The Denver Broncos, after declaring rookie Bo Nix as their starter last week, decided to keep all three quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster at the deadline Tuesday.

Nix, the 12th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, remains teammates with veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, the latter acquired in an offseason trade.

“Yeah, we think highly of the quarterback room,” Broncos general manager George Paton said Tuesday after the roster was announced. “I really liked the process. I thought the competition brought out the best in really all of the quarterbacks. All these guys support each other, they compete and they work well together.”

While competition for roster spots across all positions is fierce, Denver determined it could have three quarterbacks on the roster before the practice squad is slotted.

“We looked at last year (and) I think almost half the league kept three quarterbacks,” Paton said. “With the rule changes, we think that number will increase. We’re glad to have all three.”

Nix, who starred at Auburn and then Oregon, will become the first rookie QB to start a season opener for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.

“In regard to Bo, he’s earned the opportunity to be the starter,” Paton said. “We’ve talked about it multiple times. Just the poise, the maturity and efficiency that he’s operated on the offense has been impressive. We know like every rookie, he is going to have ups and downs, but we’ll support him through that. We’re confident in Bo and just look forward to his continued growth and development.”

Last season, Denver finished 8-9. Russell Wilson, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was 7-8 as a starter and Stidham was 1-1.

Stidham, 28, completed 40 of 66 (60.6 percent) for 496 yards with two touchdowns and one interception last season. He has played in a total of 16 games (four starts) with the New England Patriots (2019-20), Las Vegas Raiders (2022) and Denver.

Wilson, 25, spent the past three seasons with the New York Jets, who selected him second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in 34 games (33 starts) and completed 57 percent of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 TDs and 25 interceptions.

The Broncos acquired Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round pick on April 22 for a 2024 sixth-round pick from the Jets, who have Aaron Rodgers returning following a season-ending injury sustained in the 2023 opener.

“With Zach, we knew Zach was really talented,” Paton said. “We didn’t know the person. We love the day-to-day with Zach and we love the person. He’s smart and (has) all the intangibles. He obviously played well and he moved the team, and ‘Stiddy’ (Stidham) did as well. We like our group.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 18, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) scrambles with the ball in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos QB Bo Nix continues climb up OROY favorites

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It took Bo Nix only two preseason games to convince head coach Sean Payton to entrust the rookie quarterback with the keys to the Denver Broncos offense to begin the regular season.

With Payton’s announcement that Nix will start at Seattle on Sept. 8, the odds of the former Oregon signal-caller winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors continued to shorten.

Nix was offered at +1600 to win OROY by DraftKings before the 2024 NFL Draft. The Broncos then selected Nix with the 12th overall pick and inserted him into a quarterback battle against Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

Nix outperformed his veteran counterparts through the Broncos’ first two preseason games. After Denver won 27-2 against Green Bay last week, Nix’s OROY odds had shortened to +1100 at DraftKings and +1200 at BetMGM.

Payton officially named Nix his regular-season starter on Wednesday, and those odds shifted even further to +1000 and +900, respectively.

Nix is behind only Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (+135), Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (+475) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (+650) at DraftKings.

BetMGM has the same four in order, with Williams (+130) followed by Daniels (+500), Harrison Jr. (+750) and Nix. The book told Field Level Media that Nix leads all rookies with 18.7 percent of the total bets and 19.9 percent of the money backing him to win the award.

It has been a steady rise for Nix, who was the sixth quarterback off the board despite going in the first dozen overall picks. However, he entered the NFL with vast experience as a 24-year-old who played three years at Auburn and two at Oregon.

With Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy (No. 10 overall) suffering a season-ending knee injury, the New England Patriots still gauging the readiness of No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye and Michael Penix (No. 8 overall) waiting in the wings behind Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, Williams, Daniels and Nix are the only quarterbacks expected to start Week 1.

Nix is getting thrown into the fire with his first starting assignment coming at Seattle, where Denver is currently a five-point underdog at DraftKings. In addition to the notoriously loud crowd at Lumen Field along with facing first-year Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald’s complex defensive scheme, Nix was 0-3 against the Washington Huskies while at Oregon.

The Broncos do have a somewhat favorable schedule to open the season. Following the trip to Seattle, they return for their home opener against Pittsburgh before traveling to the East Coast to face Tampa Bay and the New York Jets. Denver begins its AFC West slate with home games against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers in Weeks 5-6.

The Broncos are +500 longshots to make the playoffs at BetMGM, where their Over/Under win total of 5.5 was not impacted by Nix winning the starting quarterback job. However, the book did report that the Over has drawn 83 percent of all bets placed.

Nix will become the first rookie signal-caller to start a season opener for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.

“Obviously, that’s great to share with such a great player like John Elway, but definitely want to (go) out there and (do) whatever I can do ultimately for the team,” Nix said. “It doesn’t matter when your first start is. It doesn’t matter if you have to wait or you go right now. You just want to go out there and get the first win and ultimately compete at a high level and give your team the best chance possible.

“That’s what my goal is at the beginning, just to give our team the best chance to go out there and win games every week.”

–Field Level Media

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington quarterback Michael Penix (QB08) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Polarizing Michael Penix Jr. drawing heavy public interest

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SEATTLE — Where Michael Penix Jr. lands in this week’s NFL draft has been one of the most polarizing debates over the past several months.

Former NFL quarterback and local radio show host Brock Huard has flooded the airwaves during the draft cycle discussing Penix’s unique arm talent vs. concerns about his injury history. And that debate has expanded nationally, as analysts project Penix anywhere from a top-10 selection to not hearing his name called until Day 2.

That major potential swing is why Penix won’t be on-hand with the other marquee prospects in Detroit on Thursday night.

The public has gotten into the action as well, making Penix the most highly wagered-on prospect in this year’s draft in various markets. At BetMGM, Penix has drawn the most total bets and money on any individual draft position, with his Under set at 32.5.

That would put Penix on the fringe of being a first-round pick or going to bed Thursday night still wondering who he will be slinging the football for next season. The Under has been backed by 62 percent of the total bets and 79 percent of the money at the sportsbook despite the -250 odds.

Most Bet to go Under draft position (tickets)
1. Michael Penix, Washington QB, 32.5
2. Bo Nix, Oregon QB, 32.5
3. Adonai Mitchell, Georgia WR, 27.5

Most Bet to go Under draft position (handle)
1. Michael Penix 32.5
2. Rome Odunze 8.5
3. Laiatu Latu 16.5

Quarterbacks are typically the most hotly debated prospects, and this year is no different. After the trio of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, analysts are all over the map in their estimations of where Penix, Nix and J.J. McCarthy will land.

McCarthy has been the second most popular choice at BetMGM, where his draft Over/Under position is 5.5. The former Michigan star has drawn the most Over bets at 74 percent.

Among the three highly debated quarterbacks, favorites to land each of them have emerged.

Las Vegas is the biggest liability for Penix. He has been backed by 24.6 percent of the money to go to the Raiders, who own the 13th overall pick.

Meanwhile, McCarthy is favored to go to Minnesota. The Vikings currently hold the 11th selection and have been backed by 24.6 percent of the money to grab McCarthy. However, the Denver Broncos remain the book’s biggest liability in the McCarthy market.

Denver is also seen as a likely destination for Nix. The former Oregon and Auburn quarterback has been backed by 44.3 percent of the money to wind up in the Mile High city, while the Los Angeles Rams are the book’s biggest liability related to Nix.

The Broncos currently hold the No. 12 overall pick while the Rams sit at No. 19.

Team to Draft Bo Nix
–Highest Ticket%: Broncos 19.4%
–Highest Handle%: Broncos 44.3%
–Biggest Liability: Rams
–Favorite: Broncos -176

Team to Draft J.J. McCarthy
–Highest Ticket%: Vikings 20.9%
–Highest Handle%: Vikings 24.6%
–Biggest Liability: Broncos
–Favorite: Vikings +115

Team to Draft Michael Penix Jr.
–Highest Ticket%: Raiders 26.1%
–Highest Handle%: Raiders 24.6%
–Biggest Liability: Raiders
–Favorite: Raiders +300

Penix, who turns 24 on May 8, remains the draft’s biggest wild card. He has arguably the most natural arm talent in this year’s deep quarterback class, but his draft status is murky due to four injuries in four years.

After beginning his career at Indiana, Penix transferred to Washington, a 4-8 program when he signed before the 2022 season. He took the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game this year, which Washington lost to Michigan. His two seasons there: 11-2 and 14-1.

But before he arrived in Seattle, he had two season-ending shoulder injuries and two ACL tears. Penix addressed that history in a piece for The Players Tribune this week.

“I hear it all the time. ‘He’s been injured, what happens if he gets injured again?’ Haven’t I shown you what that looks like? Haven’t I put almost 2,000 plays on tape since my last injury? …

“Truth is, I’d be more worried if I had never been injured. We don’t all come back the same. I can’t speak for those that have never gone through anything. But I can speak on me. I’ve seen how deep my foundation is. I know the storms I’m prepared to weather. For most people that’d be the end of their story. But there’s more to my story, and I own every page of it.”

–Derek Harper is Field Level Media’s CEO Media and has been reporting on the NFL and NFL draft for three decades.

Dec 1, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) warms up before a game against the Washington Huskies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Heisman finalists: Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., Bo Nix, Michael Penix

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LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. were announced Monday as the four finalists for the 2023 Heisman Trophy.

The winner will be revealed this Saturday at the annual ceremony in New York.

Daniels, in his second season guiding the LSU offense after three years at Arizona State, racked up 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 12 games while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had an eight-touchdown game (six passing, two rushing) against Georgia State on Nov. 18.

Harrison, the son of Indianapolis Colts legend Marvin Harrison, racked up 67 catches for 1,211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 12 games. He added one rushing touchdown.

Harrison is the first wide receiver from Ohio State to be a Heisman finalist and just the second wide receiver to be a finalist in the past seven years. The other was Alabama’s DeVonta Smith, who won the trophy in 2020.

Nix transferred to Oregon in 2022 after three seasons at Auburn. In 13 games he threw for 4,145 yards, 40 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He added 228 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, one year after running for 14 touchdowns.

Penix threw for 4,218 yards, 33 touchdowns and nine picks in leading Washington to a 13-0 record and the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. The Huskies beat Nix and Oregon twice head-to-head, including in the Pac-12 championship game last Friday.

Penix is the only finalist whose team reached the CFP. He played parts of four seasons at Indiana before his move to Seattle.

Among the players who missed the cut were Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, last year’s Heisman winner, and Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis, who had 20 passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores before going down for the season with a leg injury Nov. 18.

–Field Level Media

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix is hoisted into the air after a touchdown as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

Heisman moment? Bo Nix favored with final hurdle ahead

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The Heisman Trophy is Bo Nix’s to lose — at least in the eyes of oddsmakers.

Nix led Oregon to the Pac-12 Championship Game with a 31-7 dismantling of rival Oregon State last Friday. It was the Ducks’ sixth consecutive rout since suffering their lone loss of the season at Washington on Oct. 14.

Oregon earned a rematch against the Huskies this Friday. It will be at a neutral site in Las Vegas, and with a win the Ducks are highly likely to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Meanwhile, LSU’s Jayden Daniels had to rest his Heisman case with yet another impressive performance in Saturday’s 42-30 comeback win over Texas A&M. However, the three-loss Tigers won’t play again until their bowl game, well after the Heisman ballots have been cast.

Daniels was the -130 favorite at BetMGM last week, but those odds shifted to +120 by Monday. He was leapfrogged by Nix, who is the -150 favorite after being offered at +140 last week.

The story is very similar at DraftKings, where Nix has moved from +130 to -160 in the past week while Daniels shifted from -125 to +130.

Friday night at Allegiant Stadium will be anything but a victory lap for Nix.

Washington enters the game 12-0 despite a string of extremely close victories. The winner likely goes to the CFP, the loser to a secondary bowl game. A second loss this season for Nix could also swing the door back wide open for Daniels in the Heisman picture.

Also in Nix’s way is his counterpart on Friday.

Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has battled through accuracy issues of late but remains in the Heisman picture — albeit as a longshot. Penix is +1600 at BetMGM and +1500 at DraftKings. Could a clutch performance that sends Washington to the CFP sway enough minds among Heisman trophy voters?

HEISMAN TROPHY ODDS (BetMGM/DraftKings)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon (+150/-160)
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (+120/+130)
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington (+1600/+1500)
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia (+15000/+15000)
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (+15000/+20000)

LSU coach Brian Kelly continued to stump for Daniels after he threw for four touchdowns while accounting for 355 yards of total offense against Texas A&M. That brought his season totals to 4,946 total yards and 50 touchdowns.

“It’s a top-10 defense in the country,” Kelly said. “You throw for four touchdown passes against that defense, you put up 42 points … it sure as heck can’t hurt you. I think he strengthened his case for the Heisman.”

However, Daniels will not have an opportunity to impress the voters further. The Tigers are not in a conference championship game, which presents a hurdle in itself for Daniels’ Heisman hopes.

Tim Tebow, Robert Griffin III and Lamar Jackson have each won Heismans while playing for three-loss teams since 2000. Only Jackson, with 51, accounted for more total touchdowns than Daniels has this season.

That said, Nix has compiled his own outstanding resume as he leads the nation with 3,906 passing yards and a 78.6 completion percentage. He’s also behind only Daniels in total yards (4,065), touchdowns (43) and yards per game (338.8).

Nix will have an opportunity to improve on all of those marks Friday night.

“Bo’s special, man. It has been a lot of fun coaching him,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “I know we aren’t done yet.”

–Field Level Media