Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II originally encountered Broncos quarterback Bo Nix at the 2019 Iron Bowl.
As Auburn’s freshman quarterback, Nix threw for 173 yards and one touchdown and ran for 44 yards and one touchdown as the Tigers posted a 48-45 victory over Alabama with the help of TD interception returns by Smoke Monday and Zakoby McClain.
In the Nov. 30, 2019, game, Surtain was part of the Crimson Tide’s starting defense, which has 10 of its 11 players currently in the NFL.
“I’m kind of salty about that game, I ain’t going to lie,” Surtain said on Wednesday. “It was a tough game all around. But me and Bo had battles in college, for sure, since sophomore year to junior year. What I’ve seen from him is just the versatility of him.
“Obviously, he can run the ball, throw the ball. But he knows how to win ballgames, and that’s what he does best, so I’m looking forward to it coming into action on Sunday, so very excited for him.”
Surtain made his remarks after Denver coach Sean Payton named Nix the Broncos’ starting quarterback for the season-opening game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8.
The 12th pick in the NFL Draft on April 25, Nix emerged from a competition with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson to earn the starting assignment.
“As far as taking command of the offense, you could just tell how confident he is,” Surtain said. “And you just see it each and every day, the way how his confidence sort of resonates upon the whole offense. I just think he builds confidence with the veteran guys. And, obviously, coach made the decision today, but I think all quarterbacks did a great job, so I know it was a tight race, but I think Bo will get the job done. …
“He’s got the poise, the IQ, all the fundamentals and all that. But I just think he came in confident, ready to take control of the offense, and I’ve just seen it day in and day out.”
Denver offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Nix won the job by showing the Broncos in person he was the quarterback they had seen on video.
“I think what stood out is he’s kind of continued what we thought he was,” Lombardi said on Thursday. “His ability to handle messy pockets and keep his eyes downfield, his mobility. You know, he’s got more arm talent than I think most people gave him credit for, and that shows up, so I think we drafted him because we really liked him, and he’s confirmed all the things that we liked about him.”
Nix played for his father, Patrick Nix, at Pinson Valley High School, which won the AHSAA Class 6A championship in 2017 and 2018 with the father-son duo.
“He learns very quickly, and he doesn’t usually make the same mistake twice,” Lombardi said about the Broncos’ new starter. “When he sees something, it’s something new and he makes a mistake based on it, he gets it. And the next time he sees it, he understands what happened the first time and he corrects, so he’s a really quick learner.
“I think the coach’s-kid thing gets overplayed sometimes, but, I mean, he’s kind of the epitome of that. He loves football, and he studies it and learns from every rep he gets.”
