Auburn football: Bleacher Report names Bo Nix “sleeper QB” for 2021

Bo Nix will be returning as Auburn football’s quarterback for his third year on the Plains, and I think it’s safe to say everyone is anxiously hoping it will be his best. Though Nix was a 5-star recruit in the class of 2019, his gameplay hasn’t exactly escalated as hoped.

Nix has been overall successful, but so far his numbers have underwhelmed. However, with a new coaching staff and a revamp of Auburn’s offense, it’s possible that things will fall into place and Bo Nix will be the difference the team needs to get back to that championship level.

According to Brad Shepard of Bleacher Report, Bo Nix is one of ten sleeper quarterbacks to look out for in 2021. Despite seven rushing touchdowns and over 300 rushing yards, his passing game just isn’t up to par, and for the second season in a row, his completion percentage has been under 60.0 percent.

Shepard emphasizes former Auburn football head coach Gus Malzahn’s struggle in developing quarterbacks over the eight years he spent on the Plains and how Nix should thrive under the new coaching staff:

"He has all the tools, and he already has shown his grit in some big games, but he just needs to put it all together and become a leader who can torch teams in all facets of the game.There is already some buzz around youngster Dematrius Davis, who has Lamar Jackson tendencies, but it’s far from time to give up on Nix. He’s a poised, talented player who just needs to put everything together. The safe bet is he does that this year, and AU can finally rely on him to be a big-play guy."

Nix is heading into the 2021 season under his third offensive coordinator in as many years. The quarterback is in the process of adapting to Auburn football’s new offense, but according to Auburn Rivals, Nix is hoping to improve every aspect of his game before the fall:

"“As a quarterback and as a competitor, really everything. Every part of my game, I want to get better,” Nix said. “I want to be consistent, especially from the pocket. Gauging my receivers. Obviously, we got new receivers from last year, a few guys have moved on, so gauging those guys, their speed, adjusting, helping those guys out as they’re learning a completely new offense as well as I am. So just getting on the same page as those guys, sticking in the pocket and making throws.”"

Spring practice has officially begun for Nix and the rest of the Tigers, and the first chance to see them in action under Bryan Harsin comes this Saturday at an 11:30 a.m. open practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Let’s hope Shepard is on the money about his prediction because Nix needs redemption before his narrative paints a picture of another disappointing Auburn quarterback.