Off to a 5-0 start, freshman quarterback Bo Nix has been a large part of No. 7 Auburn’s emergence as a possible contender in the SEC West.

While his statistics don’t jump off the page like Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or LSU’s Joe Burrow, Nix’s numbers do show marked improvement and growth.

Since struggling to the tune of a 13-31, 177 yard, two touchdown, two interception performance in the season-opener vs. No. 13 Oregon at AT&T Stadium, he has thrown five touchdowns and avoided any interceptions. Adding 173 yards and two scores on the ground, he has shown the type of dual-threat ability necessary to pull off upsets against the SEC’s best defenses.

Speaking with AL.com, Jason Campbell, who starred for the Tigers from 2001-04, was very complimentary of the 19-year-old.

“I think Bo’s done exceptionally well,” Campbell began. “If you look at the first game, that first half, I think it’s one of those things where you’re a true freshman and in high school you’re used to making all the plays and all the throws when you’re a highly touted kid like he was. I think in that first half, he probably felt in his mind that could do those same things and could continue to make all the throws and all the plays and create his own plays.

“But I think he learned a lot from that because the second half he came out and he didn’t have any turnovers and showed a lot of poise and composure late in that game. And as the season’s continued to progress, him not having any turnovers the past few weeks is a testament to him understanding to protect the football and keep our team in a great position to win games because we do have a great defense.”

Selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Campbell played 10 years in the league and is now a member of Auburn’s game day radio team.

Chris Todd, a 2009 First Team All-SEC honoree, has been equally impressed by Nix’s week-to-week growth.

“It’s not usually that obvious the stepping stones that someone makes week-to-week,” Todd stated.

Here’s the full AL.com article:

Nix and the Tigers travel to Gainesville to play No. 10 Florida on Saturday (3:30PM ET, SEC on CBS).