Dan Lanning reveals what he'll miss about former quarterback Bo Nix

Quarterback Bo Nix has been under center for the entirety of Oregon head coach Dan Lanning‘s two-year tenure with the Ducks. But that changes this upcoming season after Nix was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

There’s no question that Nix will be missed in the Oregon program after leading the team to a 22–5 record and two bowl victories as the team’s starter. And during a recent appearance on The Herd with Collin Cowherd, Lanning was asked what he’ll miss the most about his former quarterback.

“Well I’m gonna miss the person, he’s a special individual,” Lanning said. “He’s as good of a person as I’ve ever met. His wife is Izzy’s unbelievable, I mean he came here with a different level of maturity. Already married, I felt like we had another coach in the building.”

Nix’s high character was one of the major talking points surrounding his evaluation in the NFL Draft process. Joining Oregon ahead of the 2022 season after spending three seasons at Auburn under three different offensive coordinators. With his production decreasing year after year on The Plains after being named the SEC Freshman of the Year and breaking freshman school records for completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.

He’d rejuvenate his career at Oregon and post two of the most impressive quarterback seasons in Ducks’ history in back-to-back years. Now occupying the top spot as the program’s all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9% and breaking the school’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing touchdowns (45) last season. Which Lanning attributes to his work ethic and mentality.

“And what separates Bo is how much time he puts into work. He watches more film than coaches, there’s no one that’s gonna step on the field more prepared than Bo. And then the way he practices every day, the level of intensity, his commitment to being great,” Lanning added. “It really kind of spread throughout our program.”

As Nix will look to translate his game to the NFL level, Lanning will now look upon a new experienced quarterback to pick up where Nix left off. With former UCF and Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel joining the Ducks through the transfer portal this offseason alongside former UCLA quarterback Dante Moore. Setting up Oregon for many more years of potential success at the most important position in the game.