Bo Nix is viewed as one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football headed into 2023 following a remarkable first year in Eugene.

The Oregon Ducks’ star quarterback is returning for a fifth season next fall, giving coach Dan Lanning and new offensive coordinator Will Stein a battle-tested and reliable leader to helm the offense. As 247Sports’ Brad Crawford sees it, Nix is a top-five returning quarterback.

Crawford recently ranked the top 25 returning quarterbacks in 2023. He included five Pac-12 throwers, including three who all landed inside the top four. USC’s Caleb Williams led the ranking. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. ranked No. 3. And then there was Nix at No. 4.

Here’s what Crawford had to say about Nix’s game:

Oregon’s best player during the 2022 season, Bo Nix receiving another year of eligibility means the Ducks have their star in Dan Lanning’s quest to win the Pac-12. Nix was at the top of this season’s Heisman list before Oregon’s November swoon. He finished with 29 touchdown passes and 14 scores on the ground, second to only USC’s Caleb Williams in total production out west. The former Auburn transfer has finally found his comfort zone in an offense that caters to his strengths, though losing OC Kenny Dillingham to Arizona State’s coaching vacancy could present issues.

Nix finished the season on a high note, completing 23 of his 30 passes with two touchdowns in the Ducks’ come-from-behind Holiday Bowl win over North Carolina. In the fourth quarter, Nix was nearly flawless. He completed 9-of-11 passes for 103 yards and both scores in the game’s final 15 minutes.

The former Auburn man closed out the year with a 71.9% completion clip, setting a new UO single-season record that had previously been held by Marcus Mariota (68.6%, 2012). He finished 11 completions and one rushing touchdown shy of taking two more of Mariota’s records.

Nix watched Dillingham walk away and still decided to return. He could have something better in store for the 2023 campaign.