In the Reese’s Senior Bowl, players attempt to show off their potential at the next level. For quarterbacks, that includes their ability to call in plays using an in-helmet headset. During an appearance on the NFL Network on Wednesday, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix revealed how he adjusted to the change.
“It’s definitely been different, it’s definitely been new,” Nix said. “Normally, from the sideline, we’re getting a signal, we can picture it in our head. Now, we’re having to hear it and picture it in our head. So it’s just different, but I think it’s all about repetition, doing it over and over and over.
“Being familiar with the words and painting the play in your head so that even if you forget the play you can just recite it because you know what it looks like. I think that it’s a challenge but it’s a fun challenge, and we’re all out here doing it for the first time.”
Nix managed the game well in his limited time on the field. In his team’s 16-7 win, Nix completed 4-of-his-5 pass attempts for 21 yards and a touchdown. Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman played the majority of the game behind center for Nix’s team.
In ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s latest rankings, he listed Nix as the No. 6 available quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. The fifth-year senior is projected to be either a first or second-round pick in most mock drafts. With NFL aspirations, Nix was excited to try receiving plays with the new method.
“I know that’s how it is at the next level, and that’s most of the reason why the game is so pure because you’ve got things like that little details that make it different,” Nix said. “It’s like you’re in the little coaches comm, like you’re actually on the headset and it’s loud.
“It’s just a different experience. You don’t have that in college, you don’t have that in high school, so quite frankly it’s the first time you’re in that environment, so it’s just learning as fast as you can.”
Nix has never failed to learn in the past. As a senior this past year, Nix completed 77.4 percent of his passes. He threw for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. Nix also rushed for 234 yards and six scores, while being named a Heisman finalist.
Now, Nix will prepare for the NFL Draft. The draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.
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