Tez Johnson and Bo Nix relationship, explained: How former Oregon teammates became adopted brothers

They say football is family, and in Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson’s case, it really is.

Nix and Johnson have considered themselves adopted brothers since 2017, when Tez, then a 15-year-old high school player struggling with a difficult home life, was taken in by the Nix family. This deeply personal bond began when the two were high school teammates and continued all the way to the University of Oregon, where Tez transferred to reunite with his brother. That year, they formed one of the nation's most productive quarterback-receiver duos, connecting for 10 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards.

Now, both are thriving in the pros, living out a "dream come true" that began at the Nix family dinner table. Nix was drafted 12th overall by the Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft, enjoying an excellent rookie season that saw him lead Denver to its first playoff berth in nearly a decade. Meanwhile, Johnson, drafted a year later by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Their parallel NFL journeys are a source of mutual inspiration, with Tez openly stating that he continues to model his preparation and commitment after his older brother. Now both in the NFL, the pair have been in each other's lives since 2011 and have built a profound connection.

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Here is a look at their relationship. 

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Tez Johnson and Bo Nix relationship, explained

Johnson was adopted by the Nix family in 2017, when he was 15 years old.

His father died by suicide when he was an infant, and he had a troubled home life growing up before his mother, Shamika, sent him to temporarily stay with the Nix family. At the time, Nix and Johnson were high school teammates.

Johnson was never legally adopted by Patrick and Krista Nix, but he has remained a part of the family ever since.

"It wasn't necessarily the plan for me to stay," Johnson said. "It was a plan for me to go over and stay two or three days and leave. I knew when I walked in, I didn't want to leave. They took me in from all the stuff that was happening with my bio family, and it was something they wanted to do."

Tez Johnson and Bo Nix are more than just former high school and college teammates, they share a bond that goes much deeper than football.@MartySmithESPN shares how one difficult decision by a mother has bonded two families and allowed Tez to live out his dream ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7nZ6MljP1f

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 1, 2025

Neither Nix nor Johnson started their career at Oregon. Nix transferred to the program before the 2022 season, and Johnson in 2023. After the quarterback's first season with the Ducks, he said the program was receiver-poor but he had a solution.

"We needed some receivers because some guys had graduated, some guys had transferred," Nix said. "And I was like, 'I know a guy.' He got that opportunity and it was a dream come true."

Must Watch: If you don't know, Bucs rookie WR Tez Johnson and Bo Nix are BROTHERS.

Bo Nix’s family brought Tez in as one of their own and raised him with an open heart.

Tez is a fantastic athlete and young man; this story is extraordinary.

🙏❤️

pic.twitter.com/386eh5czhj

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 13, 2025

Despite moving in with the Nix family when he was younger, Johnson has remained close with his biological mother. 

"I’ve got two moms," Johnson said. "I have a stepdad and a dad, so I have two dads. And I have seven siblings. So, we’re a big family. My mom is so grateful because she knew if this didn’t happen, who knows where I’d be?"

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Where did Bo Nix go to college?

Nix spent his first three seasons at Auburn. He started as a freshman and the team finished 9-4. In the truncated 2020 season, Auburn went 6-4. In Nix's final year with Auburn, the Tigers went 6-7. 

After going 0-3 in bowl games with Auburn, Nix transferred to Oregon. The Ducks went 10-3 and defeated North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl. The following season Nix finished as a top three Heisman finalist, posting career highs in passing yards, completion percentage, touchdowns, and passer rating. Oregon went 12-2 and won the Fiesta Bowl. Nix has the seventh-most passing yards in NCAA history. 

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Where did Tez Johnson go to college?

Johnson spent his first three college seasons at Troy University. After the 2022 season, Johnson transferred to Oregon where he joined his adopted brother for a season.

In his first season with the Ducks, Johnson posted career highs across the board, displaying his unique connection with Nix. Johnson finished his college career with 310 total catches, the 16th most in NCAA history. 

He was then drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.

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