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NFL Rookie of the Year: Denver Broncos' Bo Nix, Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving Nominated

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Bucky Irving and Denver Broncos' Bo Nix are nominees for the Pepsi Zero 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year. The former Oregon Ducks are joined by Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels, Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers, New York Giants Malik Nabers and Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr.
Ally Osborne|
Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) exchange jerseys after a game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) exchange jerseys after a game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksTampa Bay BuccaneersDenver BroncosWashington CommandersNew York GiantsLas Vegas RaidersJacksonville Jaguars

With the NFL's regular season at a close, and the playoffs well underway, awards nominees are being announced across the league. On Tuesday, two former Oregon Ducks were announced to be in the running for a major honor.

For the Pepsi Zero 2024 Rookie of the Year, former Duck teammates and Tampa Bay Buccaneer running back Bucky Irving and Denver Bronco quarterback Bo Nix were both announced as nominees. The two former Oregon stand-outs played together for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, leading the Ducks to victories in the Holiday Bowl and Fiesta Bowl respectively.

The two Ducks are joined by Washington Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels, Las Vegas Raiders' tight end Brock Bowers, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, and Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

Nix has been a standout this year for the Broncos, as head coach Sean Payton works to rebuild Denver's offense around the young quarterback. Nix helped lead the Broncos to their first post-season appearance in almost a decade, with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in a Wild Card game 31-7. Nix is also the first rookie captain for the team since 1967, a unanimous decision from his teammates.

During his first season with the Broncos, Nix put up 3,775 yards in the passing game (ranked No. 12th nationally) with 29 touchdowns (ranked No. 6th nationally). Nix also rushed for 430 yards and four touchdowns, using his speed and athleticism that made him a multi-faceted threat at Oregon.

It was also revealed this week that Nix suffered three transverse process fractures in his back while playing the Raiders in November, an injury he pushed through, not missing a single snap afterwards.

“That moment was annoying, but we all play with something," Nix said to the media on Monday.

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As for Irving, he's easily become one of the best ground game assets for the Buccaneers since his arrival. Though the rookie didn't play 65% of the snaps during Tampa Bay's season, he secured the title of No. 1 rushing yards (1,122 yards), receiving yards (392 yards), and touchdowns (eight touchdowns) among rookie running backs in the league.

After Irving's season ended when the Buccaneers fell to the Commanders 23-20 in a Wild Card game, Irving's numbers were something to behold. The former Duck ended his inaugural professional season with 1,597 total yards, 881 rush yards after contact, 82 missed tackles forced on the opposing team, 68 first downs, and only two fumbles (both rushing fumbles).

So far, Daniels is the favorite to win the award with 11 nominations for Rookie of the Week throughout the season. Irving has not had a Rookie of the Week win this season, but Nix has won the award from week 10-12, which are the same weeks he was fighting his back injuries.

Fan voting to present the award is currently active, with voting ending on Friday, January 31st. The winner will receive a custom trophy and recognition during Super Bowl week in New Orleans.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A born and raised Oregonian, Ally Osborne has a passion for sporting events across her home state. She began writing for Oregon Ducks on SI in 2021. Currently a morning talk show host and sports reporter for KOIN 6 and Portland's CW in Portland, Oregon, Ally is engrained in her community. Finding and sharing stories that highlight the unique culture and connectivity sports creates is a part of her DNA. She frequently contributes sports content to KOIN's broadcast and streaming platforms while hosting talk show "Everyday Northwest" and video podcast "Tower Talk Live" every weekday. With Portland being her third-worked television market (second in Oregon), Osborne brings hard-news and feature-reporting experience to compliment her expertise for sports storytelling. Her journalistic endeavors and art creations (many of which are inspired by the Oregon Ducks) can be found on her social media pages. Ally graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. 

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