QB U? Justin Herbert and Bo Nix putting Oregon on the map as a quarterback hotspot
Justin Herbert and Bo Nix squared off on Thursday Night Football for the second time this season, once again putting the former Oregon quarterbacks on the same field for what figures to be one of many times over the years. In doing so, they cast a spotlight on the Oregon Ducks as a university rising […]
Justin Herbert and Bo Nix squared off on Thursday Night Football for the second time this season, once again putting the former Oregon quarterbacks on the same field for what figures to be one of many times over the years. In doing so, they cast a spotlight on the Oregon Ducks as a university rising in the ranks of developing quarterbacks.
Herbert has been one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL since getting drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, although playoff success has eluded him. This year, the Chargers are looking to change that narrative, now with coaching in place that can hopefully take the team to new heights.
For Nix, a rookie first round draft pick by the Broncos, he's aiming to do the same — the Broncos have been unable to solve their quarterback questions ever since Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset after winning the Super Bowl eight years ago.
Oregon, in their own right, is in the headlines right now as the No. 1 team in the country as the College Football Playoffs are set to begin, and are being led by a Heisman Trophy Finalist in Dillon Gabriel that has been playing some of the best football in the country since joining the Ducks in the transfer portal last winter.
For NFL front offices, maybe it's time to start giving a little extra respect to quarterbacks coming out of Oregon for the way they are prepared and developed to make the leap to the next level.
We know the NFL has a quarterback problem, especially in their handling of young signal callers. The league has a short leash for quarterbacks, rarely giving them an opportunity to develop and grow before cutting bait. Fortunately, there are some teams that have taken the reclamation route in recent years, and have found incredible success with the likes of Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay and Sam Darnold having an incredible season with the Minnesota Vikings.
Even still, it's becoming abundantly clear that the league expects NFL-ready quarterback prospects capable of stepping in on Day 1 as a leader and as a capable quarterbacks.
I've written before that Gabriel fits that bill. No, he isn't the best prospect in the world, but I'll stand by the fact that his experience, his leadership ability, his poise, his toughness, and his ability to process what defenses are doing in front of him are traits that certainly should make him appealing to NFL teams. Who knows when he'll hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft
All of those attributes are aided by the amount of games he has played, but have absolutely flourished in his time with the Ducks.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is an incredible head coach, and the culture he has in place out in Eugene is one of preparation, accountability, and leadership. There's every reason to believe Oregon has what it takes to churn out NFL-ready quarterbacks.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
