plenty of chow-chow to keep tongues wagging and hacks pounding the keyboard over the next few weeks.
like everybody else, I don't see a path where Nix doesn't come back; every indicator points that direction.
Stein's Texas connections had to be a factor in his hiring as OC. Chip recruited Texas hard and it paid off. Mario & Cru focused more on SEC country, also w some success. expect to see more signings from the Lone Star state. Ducks travel to Lubbock in Sept.
DJ Uggs is an intriguing story. he's a Left Coast kid from the Bay area. private, all-boys Catholic school like Mariota. sure he's happy to get out of South Carolina. speculation is UCLA, ASU, maybe Oregon or even Cal.
so next season (final season of the P-12) could feature at least four Heisman-watch QBs: Nix, Penix, Williams, and Uggs.  Ducks miss UCLA next year, but play SC in Autzen & UW & Sparky on the road. should be some serious shootouts.
 

I wonder what "signs" are being referenced re Nix besides playing in a bowl game?

Here are "signs" I have read on why he won't return...

+Has a degree.

+Married

+Had a good enough year to get drafted.

+Last 2 college seasons have ended with injuries...at Auburn he was done done; this year he hobbled to the finish line. Does he want to return to possibly get another "college injury" which could damage an NFL career?

+Has to "start over" with a new OC.

+The argument could be made he is playing in the bowl game to end his college career on a more positive note for the team and to give NFL personnel a better last impression.

Now this may be a situation where NIL critics may want to pause as in "good NIL money" MAY keep a player in college longer because regardless of who you are, an NFL job is no guarantee.

I could see him staying, aside from any personal reasons(wife may like him to stay), after talking with NFL people and / or like Penix Jr said, there is "unfinished business."

Will be interesting.

Jiffy Jeff wrote:

IMO, Nix at his best is still not an NFL starter.  I truly think this decision comes down to how many more games of high level football does he want to play a meaningful role in before it may be all over.  If he bolts after the bowl game for the draft, he may end up trading 12 games of competitive collegiate football for a clipboard- forget about the money...  Not sure that is how this kid is wired.  Think he plays one more season of college ball.  

I agree, Bo is wired differently. He really broke out and became a great leader. He comes back and we chase the elusive natty once again
 

starting salary for a rookie 5th- or 6th-round draft choice runs about $600,000 to $750,000. there's a signing bonus, but I don't think draft-picks that far down get guaranteed money. Nix could easily earn $2 mill in NIL if he returns for another season. and earn an advanced degree in a sports-related discipline (the Sabrina Path) that would stand him in good stead when he's done w professional football.

For what it’s worth, I just heard Dante Moore is visiting UCLA this weekend.

I cannot keep track of the eligibility status of players with the Covid exemption but IF DTR is done at UCLA and Oregon is in a holding pattern re Nix...Chip might be dangling the proverbial "You may have the opportunity to play and start right away" carrot in front of Moore.

Whether it was Dillingham going to ASU or the hiring of the new OC or both, it feels like Moore is doing some shopping and Nix's decision looms large on what he is going to do.

The other caveat which just occurred to me is Moore is from Detroit so Chip may be saying, "After next season we are in the Big Ten so we are coming to your home turf" so to speak. His family and friends can probably see him play more easily at Big Ten locations and if they make the trip to LA...it is SoCal with warm weather, beaches, etc.🤔