Las Vegas, NV. – University of Oregon quarterback Bo Nix has been named the 34th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy during tonight’s 65th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas.
The Campbell Trophy ranks as one of college football’s most sought-after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.
Awarded since 1990, the 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy comes with a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.
“Bo Nix is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and his competitive drive on the field extends to the classroom where he has already graduated magna cum laude and is currently working on a master’s degree,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons, Peyton (Campbell Trophy® recipient) and Eli, were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively.
“He embodies everything the Campbell Trophy represents, and we are extremely pleased to add his name to our history books.”
Nix was selected from the impressive list of 16 members of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments, who comprised the list of finalists for the Campbell Trophy. Each member of the class claimed an $18,000 scholarship for their postgraduate education.
“Bo and his fellow members of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class represent more than just their standout athletic ability seen on the field,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell.
“Their academic achievements and their contributions as leaders off the field send a powerful message about the young men who play our sport. They have taken full advantage of the educational opportunities provided by college football, and they have created a compelling legacy for others to follow.”
Graduating magna cum laude from Auburn in 2021 (where he was the three-year starting quarterback from 2019-21) with a 3.62 GPA, Nix is currently pursuing a master’s in Communications at Oregon, holding a 3.91 GPA. The 2023 Pac-12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Nix was a Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll member in 2022 and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree while playing at Auburn.
A three-year captain (two years at Oregon and one at Auburn) and a four-letterman, Nix led the Ducks (11-2) to an appearance in the Pac-12 Championship Game this season, and he will now lead the No. 8 Ducks as they face No. 23 Liberty (13-0) in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 1 in Glendale, Arizona.
“I have always loved football, and playing it has brought opportunities in the community and the classroom,” Nix said in his acceptance speech after being given the award.
“I appreciate that this honor recognizes the full range of work that we do outside of football, and this wouldn’t be possible without all of the support I’ve received.”
The most experienced quarterback in NCAA history with 60 career starts, Nix leads the nation in completion percentage (77.2) and is tied for No.1 for passing touchdowns (40). He ranks second in passing efficiency (186.25), passing yards (4,145), passing yards per game (318.85), and total touchdowns (46). He ranks third in total yards per game (336.4).
Nix’s incredible 77.2 completion percentage (336-of-435) places him in a position to break the NCAA single-season record of 77.4 set by Mac Jones (Alabama, 2020) when Oregon faces Liberty on Jan. 1. Nix’s 336 completions also lead the nation and are the most in UO single-season history.
Nix has etched his name in multiple categories in the NCAA record books. He ranks fourth all-time in total yards (16,596), tied for sixth in total touchdowns (147), seventh in completions (1,258), seventh in passing yards (14,989) and 21st in passing touchdowns (108). He is the first player in FBS history to account for at least 55 total touchdowns at two different schools, recording 39 touchdowns passing and 18 rushing over three seasons at Auburn before coming to Oregon.
In addition to winning the William V. Campbell Trophy, Nix is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and the Dave O’Brien National Quarterback Award.
Earlier Tuesday, Nix was also named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year.
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. vvHe was the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for Auburn since 1946.
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.
The Pinson, Alabama, native now becomes the Ducks’ second Campbell Trophy winner, joining 2019 recipient Justin Herbert. He is the school’s fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete, including Herbert, William Musgrave (1990) and Dennis Dixon (2007). Nix also becomes the fourth winner of the Campbell Trophy from a team currently in the Pac-12.
Following Tuesday’s NFF Annual Awards Dinner, Nix will be recognized as the 2023 Campbell Trophy recipient at several other prestigious events.
On Friday, December 8, he will be interviewed live during the “The Home Depot College Football Awards” on ESPN. Then on Monday, December 11, a reception will be held in his honor at the New York Athletic Club (NYAC), the official home of the trophy since 2013.
Launched in 1959 and celebrating its 65th year in 2023, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete program became the first initiative in history to award postgraduate scholarships based on a player’s combined academic, athletic and leadership accomplishments, and the program has awarded $12.6 million to 922 top athletes since its inception.
Candidates must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility this season OR a graduated player enrolled at least three years (even if he has remaining eligibility); have a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The centerpiece to the NFF’s scholar-athlete program, the William V. Campbell Trophy was first awarded in 1990. It is named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the former chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University, and the 2004 recipient of the NFF’s Gold Medal.
An All-Ivy League player and the captain of Columbia’s 1961 Ivy League championship team, Bill Campbell found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from Columbia football coach to advertising executive. Known as the “Coach of Silicon Valley,” his ability to recruit, develop and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron – proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.
Bill Campbell joined the NFF Board in 1978 while he was still a coach at Columbia, and he continued to serve with distinction until his passing in 2016. In 2004, the NFF recognized his contributions and accomplishments by presenting him with the NFF Gold Medal, the organization’s highest honor. In 2009, the NFF renamed college football’s premier scholar-athlete award as the William V. Campbell Trophy® in his honor.