Bo Nix did what is arguably the hardest thing for any individual player to do: he changed his own narrative.

The legacy at Auburn who just never quite lived up in the eyes of some, Nix was ever the target of criticism in his three seasons leading the Tigers. He was a starter from Day 1 as a college football player, thrust into the national spotlight immediately with his dramatic win over the Ducks in his first collegiate game. When he left Auburn three years later and entered the transfer portal, few thought he could resurface elsewhere and lead a championship charge.

And yet that’s exactly what he did. He transferred to Oregon, won the starting job, became a legitimate Heisman contender until a late-season injury, and had the Ducks right in the thick of the Pac-12 title race in late November. Brilliance from Nix last season gave him a shot to jump to the NFL.

Instead, he’s back for his fifth and final season of college ball.

“I didn’t want to leave college with nothing to show for it,” he said Saturday when he met with reporters to discuss his decision to return. “I want to really do a good job this season and go in there and win a lot of games.”

It says something about the Ducks that Nix opted for a return even after his coordinator, Kenny Dillingham, left for another job. It says something about the offense that Nix was ready to dive headfirst into Will Stein’s playbook in his final year. There’s potential for Oregon to do more in Year 2 with Nix at the helm.

“The 2022 Oregon offense is very similar to the style of offense that I’m accustomed to,” said new offensive coordinator Will Stein. And he doesn’t see the need to reinvent the wheel. From Nix’s experience to the assistants on staff, Stein says the Ducks have a strong offensive braintrust in Eugene. “We have a lot of smart guys in our room. Don’t try to out-think ourselves, and put our players in a really good position to make plays.”

Nix’s experience certainly helps there.

“This year is probably the most eye-opening. I’m in a great situation,” Nix said. “Our coaches really allow me to be flexible and to do a lot. I’m thankful for that. But at the same time, they do a great job of teaching me when I’m out there. I do feel like I have a lot under my belt.”

Time to go out on a high note.

“I just wanted to exhaust everything I had in college. I didn’t want to have any regrets,” he said. “Now that I chose Oregon, it’s all in. It’s gonna be a great season.”