Sources: Syracuse lands ex-Washington RB Nixon

Pete Thamel, ESPNMay 24, 2024, 02:23 PM ET

Former Washington tailback Will Nixon is transferring to Syracuse, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Nixon averaged 6.1 yards per carry for the Huskies last season and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. His move east means that he will be united with his father, Jeff Nixon, who is the offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Orange.

Will Nixon backed up Washington star Dillon Johnson last season. He played 28 snaps in the national title game with Johnson banged up, carrying the ball twice for 7 yards against Michigan.

Nixon rushed for 201 yards last season, scoring one touchdown. He also caught 13 passes for 84 yards.

He started his career at Nebraska in 2020 as a wide receiver, tearing his ACL in the summer of his freshman year. He transferred to Washington for the 2022 season, when he played in 11 games, rushed for 89 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also caught seven balls for 66 yards.

His background as a wide receiver gives Syracuse some versatility using him out of the backfield. He joins a talented running back room at Syracuse, as LeQuint Allen ran for 1,064 yards last year and freshman running back Yasin Willis flashed with an impressive spring.