Bo Nix and his brothers, Caleb Nix and Tez Johnson, come from a football family.
Bo was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. This came after being named the 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year at Auburn University before transferring to the University of Oregon, where he led the 2023 NCAA season in touchdowns, among other achievements.
Bo’s brother Caleb also went on to play college football, but at Clemson Tigers as a safety. Not only did Tez play college football, too, but he became Bo’s teammate at Oregon as a wide receiver, catching touchdown passes from his brother.
Caleb was born to former football player and coach, Patrick Nix and nurse, Krista Nix on Feb. 28, 2003, just over three years after Bo, who arrived on Feb. 25, 2000. Tez was born on May 18, 2002, but became a part of the Nix family while Patrick was coaching him after Tez became friends with Bo and Patrick.
“The family .. really saved my life. Who knows where I would have been?,” Tez told the Pac-12 Network. “Like being around the family I had some structure in my life. I never had the structure that I had until I moved in and I knew I could trust them because the love was there.”
“He started living with us … he became a brother and then soon after that he’s just like family,” Bo said in the same interview.
Bo also has two sisters: Emma and Sara Nix.
From their football success to their relationships off the field, here’s everything to know about Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix’s brothers, Caleb Nix and Tez Johnson.
Bo and Caleb grew up in a football family in Alabama
Football runs deep in the Nix family. Bo and Caleb’s grandfather was a well-known high school football coach and their father Patrick is considered a legendary quarterback in Auburn University history.
Bo and Caleb were constantly watching football, around the game as Patrick coached college football, or playing it in their backyard.
“I grew up around a football family, so it was all about high school and college football,” Bo told ESPN.
Tez started living with the Nix family in high school
Tez and Bo had an instant connection from the time they were teammates, and it continued to when they became brothers after Bo’s family took Tez in. While they were teammates at Pinson Valley High School, Bo quickly noticed Tez’s big heart and football skills. Patrick, who was the school team coach, knew of Tez’s struggles and had an idea for Tez to come stay with the Nix family.
“It was a struggle, just coming up. Like, we didn’t have beds at one point, didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. Growing up in a crazy environment you just see violence every day,” Tez told the Pac-12 Network. “Things were not going good at home … but my coach, Patrick Nix, he said [to Tez’s mom], ‘What if I take him home for a few days with us. Whenever he feels comfortable, he can come back.’ ”
Tez said that the second he came into the house and saw the family sitting together at the dinner table, it was new for him and he didn’t want to leave. Tez’s mother gave her blessing for him to live with the Nix family and is thrilled at the success her son has found.
“My child has been able to live out a dream and a life I wasn’t able to provide to him,” Shamika Johnson told The Oregonian. “If I would have kept him here with me, I don’t think he would have graduated high school, let alone go to college … I think what I did for my child … is saved his life.”
Bo, Caleb and Tez won a high school football championship together
Bo and Caleb went from playing backyard football together, to playing on the same high school team with Tez, to becoming State Champions together. In 2018, their father Patrick coached the team — which included the trio of brothers — to a class 6A State Championship at Pinson Valley High School in Birmingham, Alabama. Bo also won Alabama’s Mr. Football Award that year.
Bo thanked Tez for playing an integral role in helping the team win the State Championship while wishing him happy birthday.
“Happy Birthday to my extra brother. Thanks for catching all my passes last year and making me look good. Im so thankful that you’re apart of our family! Keep being you! Love you buddy,” Bo wrote in the caption of his Instagram post, alongside photos, including of the two with the Championship trophy and on the field.
Caleb was mentored by Bo
Caleb couldn’t be prouder of his big brother. When finding out Bo would be named Alabama’s Mr. Football in 2018, Caleb congratulated his big brother on Instagram, as well as thanking Bo for everything he had taught him.
“Congrats on the greatest career in AHSAA history! All-time leader in total yards (12,000 plus) and all-time leader in total touchdowns (161). Back to back state championship MVPs, Alabama state Gatorade player of the year, and in a couple weeks, he’ll be Alabama’s Mr. Football. Thanks for teaching me so much in your 5 year career 🐐#legend,” Caleb wrote in the caption of his Dec. 9 post that year.
“Your time to shine now youngin. Love you little bro,” Bo replied in the comment section.
Caleb has played college football as a safety
While Bo and Tez may be the more well-known of the three football-playing brothers, Caleb has had a successful football career in his own right. Caleb played quarterback in high school, but found himself amongst a crowded quarterback group as a walk-on at Clemson and decided to play safety so he could have a role on the team.
“Coach Sweeney gave me a preferred walk-on spot and at the time we were pretty full at quarterback, which I knew if I walk on, there’s no guarantee to play quarterback… so I was open to playing something else,” Caleb said on I Played, Too podcast in January 2024.
“I decided that whatever I play, this is where I want to be… so I decided to come here and that’s when he told me, ‘We’re going to start you at safety.’ ”
Tez has played college football as a wide receiver, once on the same team as Bo
When Tez showed up to the Nix home on his first night there, he was wearing an Oregon Ducks hoodie, according to an article by The Oregonian. He dreamed of playing at the University of Oregon one day, but fate would have it that he would form a dynamic duo with his brother Bo as his quarterback.
“When I came out here, he was like, ‘Bo, you get to go live my dream,’ ” Bo told The Oregonian. “And then the next thing you know, he’s out here living it, too. That’s probably one of the more special things that has come out of me being here.”
Bo had a successful career as a quarterback at Auburn University, but transferred to the University of Oregon to finish out his five-year college career, which saw him start as quarterback 61 times — the most in NCAA history. Bo transferred to the University of Oregon after his first year, while Tez transferred after three standout seasons at Alabama’s Troy University, giving Bo the opportunity to throw touchdown passes to him.
Tez and Caleb were with Bo, supporting him when Bo was drafted by the Broncos
The 2024 NFL Draft made history with the most quarterbacks ever drafted in the first round in recent history, which included the Broncos drafting Bo with the 12th pick. Bo was at home surrounded by his family, including brothers Tez and Caleb, when he received the news.
Caleb shared a picture on Instagram in April 2024 with his big brother as both held up Bo’s new Broncos jersey. Caleb also shared a story of being mistaken for Bo that weekend.
“If you ask me it was a cool weekend even if the owner thinks you are Bo and says ‘Well, I thought you were bigger,’ ” Caleb wrote in the caption of the April 29 post.
Caleb got engaged in 2024
On July 17, 2024, Caleb proposed to his girlfriend Regan Turner, who was a cheerleader at Seneca High School. Bo also married a former cheerleader: his wife Izzy Smoke.
Reagan and Caleb shared a joint post on Instagram celebrating their engagement in July.
“Thank you Jesus for Caleb Nix! You are my greatest blessing, and I am in awe that I get to spend the rest of my life with you!” Reagan wrote in the caption.
Source: People
