Tez Johnson has been lighting it up for the Oregon Ducks in recent weeks, but this week the spotlight shines more brightly on his brother, Bo Nix.
Johnson and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix are brothers. They aren't biologically related, but Johnson was all-but-legally adopted by the Nix family in high school.
They never filed the official paperwork, but try telling Nix and Johnson that they aren't real brothers especially after their exploits on the field in high school and for the Ducks. The Nix parents, Patrick and Krista, welcomed Johnson into their home when he needed somewhere to go as a high schooler just outside Birmingham, AL.
The Nix family moved to Birmingham suburb Pinson, AL in 2017 when Patrick took the head coaching job at Pinson Valley High School. A former college quarterback at Auburn, Patrick became a college and high school head coach as a career. The Nix family moved all over the south when Bo was young, but in Pinson Valley they found a home.
Bo quickly took over the starting quarterback role at Pinson Valley and grew close bonds with his teammates, perhaps none closer than wideout Tez Johnson. Johnson spent a lot of time at the Nix house and was eventually extended an invitation to stay a few days when he didn't have anywhere else to go. Those few days turned into forever as the Nix family accepted Johnson into their family as a new brother and son.
At the end of their senior season both were recruited by several division one programs, and Bo decided to follow in the footsteps of his dad and play at Auburn. Johnson's scholarship offers were mostly from smaller schools and he ended up at Troy.
BO NIX ?? TEZ JOHNSON. THE BROTHERLY CONNECTION OREGON LEADS 15-7
pic.twitter.com/RcAjH9LYJR— Hammer Time (@hammertimebet) September 9, 2023
A turbulent few years as an Auburn Tiger led Nix to transfer to Oregon, meanwhile Johnson was becoming an impact wide receiver for Troy in the Sun Belt Conference. In 2022 Johnson racked up 863 yards and four touchdowns for a conference championship Trojans squad. After the season he would hit the transfer portal, and there was only one destination on his mind.
Johnson transferred to Oregon to become a Duck and play with his brother Nix. This season they have shared the field together for the first time since Pinson Valley in high school. The dynamic family duo hope their bond can help lead Oregon to a Pac-12 title and more as the season continues.
