Ty Thompson will benefit from Bo Nix’s transfer

Ty Thompson was the first name that came to mind for Oregon football fans when Bo Nix announced his move. This news may not be a bad thing.

When Bo Nix announced his intention to move to the Oregon football program after three Auburn years, the immediate reaction from the fan base was: what about Ty Thompson?

Thompson happened to be the best quarterback in the program’s history, which meant his career expectations were incredibly high. He made a noise in the last offseason and even pushed veteran Anthony Brown to the start until the start of the season, but he only appeared in three games and tried 15 assists.

Mario Cristobal and Joe Moorhead decided to keep Brown a beginner, even though he may have a limited ceiling, and that was because Thompson wasn’t ready yet.

After sitting down this year and learning behind Brown, everyone assumed Thompson would be the “guy” in 2022 and beyond. But Cristobal’s departure and news of Nix’s transfer may have changed things. Does this mean the staff doesn’t already believe in Thompson? Not necessarily. In fact, it can only be an insurance plan in case the former top 50 potential person isn’t ready yet.

Nix, on the other hand, is a former number one in the 2019 class, and has evolved every year throughout his career, but he’s still not really “broken” as a collegiate quarterback.

But one thing is for sure: Nix’s transition to the program will only help Thompson.

As Brown did, Nix challenges Thompson. What used to feel like he was losing his job now forces him to work hard throughout the offseason to win its veteran transfer. This is a good thing.

The QB room for Oregon football needs to be strong

I don’t see Thompson moving because of Nix – at least until he finds out where he stands after the spring ball. I saw his winning start-up and possibly even force Nix to reconsider his decision. It has happened before on the transfer portal.

This fight should continue for a long summer camp and even fall, but when Nix pushes Thompson as well as Jay Butterfield and Robby Ashford, it only strengthens the quarterback room.

Brown’s loss hurts the experience here and the depth of Tanner Bailey’s commitment. But getting Nix replaces both, and that doesn’t mean Thompson is on his way out; it means that he is pushed into a starting job.

If Thompson wins the job, you can bet he’s ready to star.