SALUTE TO VETERANS BOWL: Nix making the most of decision to transfer from Clemson

Jax State safety Caleb Nix’s decision to transfer to the Gamecocks has been the right one. (Courtesy Jacksonville State Athletics)

By TIM GAYLE

When Caleb Nix elected to enter the transfer portal in search of more playing time, an old family friend was the perfect solution.

“I was between Jax State and App State and loved both,” Nix said. “Both had great qualities. The trust in Coach (Charles) Kelly was a big part. But not only that, it was his experience with defensive backs and the defensive side of the ball. In my position, if you’re going to make a decision, I wanted to go where I knew I would have one of the best DB coaches in the country in the building that I could ask questions and learn from. The trust and just his knowledge and experience and who Coach Kelly is was a huge factor.”

The decision was beneficial to both. Kelly, the first year coach at Jacksonville State, needed a guy like Nix to lead the Gamecocks. Nix, who had played in just 10 games over three years at Clemson, needed a guy like Kelly to develop his talent.

“It’s been a lot of growth,” Nix said. “Last year, I tore my ACL early in the year, so the recovery has been a long processs. But a lot of growth, a lot of learning. I think where I am, Game 14, is a long way from where I was at the beginning of camp and Game 1 against UCF. Each week, each practice, I’ve learned a lot and there’s nothing like practice reps and game reps. There’s no better way to learn.”

The redshirt junior safety earned first team all-Conference USA honors after recording four interceptions (for 191 yards) and emerging as the fourth leading tackler with 57 stops, including four for loss, with three pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.

Nix, the younger brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, played for his father Patrick at Central-Phenix City, then surprised some when he elected to walk on at Clemson and not follow in the footsteps of his father and brother at Auburn.

“It’s been a blessing,” Nix said. “I went to Clemson, spent my three years there and loved every minute of the college experience on the field and off the field, And it was a great school. I loved my time there, I graduated, but then I’ve been blessed to come to a school like Jax State and be able to have the opportunity on the field that I’ve had and just had a season that I’ll be able to remember forever.”

But after graduating from Clemson with honors in three years, he wanted an opportunity for more playing time. Almost immediately, he thought of Kelly, who worked at Auburn as a graduate assistant when Patrick Nix was the quarterback. The two served as assistant coaches on the same staff at Jacksonville State and later at Georgia Tech, developing a lifelong friendship.

“I have a little bit of an advantage with him,” Kelly said. “I’ve known Caleb since the day he was born. Me and his dad coached together at three different places, so I’ve known Bo, Caleb, Emma, Sara, all the Nix kids. But I told Patrick when we got him, I’m not recruiting Caleb because of our relationship, I’m recruiting him because he’s a good football player. And he’s proven that.

“Super instinctive, super smart. That (athletic quality is) what people don’t realize. I think they recognize the leadership and the smarts, but we put him back there in the 10th game of the season to return punts and he’s made a difference. He’s just that kind of athlete.”

Nix admits it’s a little unique being around a head coach you’ve known all of your life.

“I remember growing up with Kathleen and Caroline and his daughters,” Nix said. “We’ve known each other for a long time. It’s been really neat. It’s been awesome to be coached by him. But I was only really around him when I was a kid, so I only really knew him through my dad moreso than my own relationship with him. So it’s been neat to form a working relationship with Coach Kelly and just be able to learn from him.”

In addition to his success on the field this season, Nix is also working on a master’s degree in business administration.

“I want to work in the NFL eventually,” he said. “I want to work in scouting and with the GM, the personnel side of things. Getting exposed to business ideas and concepts and leadership principles has been neat to learn. Coach Kelly always says there’s nothing better that you can do in life than to keep educating yourself.” 

Kelly thinks of Nix as a leader, although Nix is a little wary of adding that title to his resume, considering he has only been with the program for a few months.

“I think the best way to lead, especially early as you’re getting to know people, is through actions,” he said, “so I’ve tried to be a servant leader and just lead by example. Always set the tone in the meeting room, the practice field, wherever it is, show it by actions. I think you also have to learn credibility -- not necessarily on the field through stats or accumulating awards -- but moreso how people see you work. So that’s been my goal. I got here in May, so going into the season it was showing people that I’m going to be the hardest worker out here and do the little stuff right. You grow a leadership voice, so to speak, from that.”

 On Tuesday, Nix and the Gamecocks will battle Troy in the 12th annual Salute to Veterans Bowl, renewing a rivalry that has been dormant for the past 24 years.

“I think this is a huge opportunity,” Nix said. “In-state rivalry. And even though it hasn’t been a rivalry in our lifetime, I think there’s a lot of guys in the locker room that weren’t given the opportunity to play at Troy or decided to play at Jax State, so there’s a rivalry in personal goals. Also, it means a lot to just have an in-state game for bragging rights, just to represent your school.”