Bo Nix entered the 2024 NFL draft with the most starts of any quarterback in college football history.

Nix’s 61 starts at Auburn and Oregon were a big reason why the Denver Broncos selected him with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NFL draft. But Nix knows his vast college experience doesn’t guarantee success in the NFL. That’s why he is leaning into former NFL all-time great quarterbacks to learn from as training camp approaches.

Nix has been compared to former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Denver head coach Sean Payton coached Brees for 15 years, including winning Super Bowl 44. Few were surprised when the Broncos selected Nix.

Brees retired in 2021 after a 20-year career in which he is expected to be a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Nix said he has watched Brees and Payton in action as he prepares for his first NFL training camp.

“I grew up watching Drew Brees. I grew up watching Coach Payton coach. I watched their Super Bowl,” Nix told Zac Stevens of thednvr.com. “I knew the efficient offenses that they had and how well they worked together.”

Brees isn’t the only legendary quarterback Nix plans to learn from. The rookie has already had conversations with Payton Manning, who is considered one of the greatest at the position in league history. Nix has a relationship with Manning after attending the Manning Passing Academy in 2023.

“I got a text from Payton Manning [the night I was drafted],” Nix told thednvr.com “He’s always been so willing to reach out to me. He’s very good at being available to those young guys. He’s like that at the camp, he’s obviously like that with the Broncos players. I’m excited to seriously be around him and spend some time with him.”

Add Philip Rivers to Nix’s list of mentors. Nix and the former Los Angeles Chargers’ star quarterback spent time together during the past offseason.

“This past offseason, I was fortunate to be around Philip Rivers,” Nix said. “The knowledge that [these quarterbacks] possess, you can’t get from anywhere else. It’s the resource that I’m excited to use.”

If Nix’s performances during the season - if he is the Week 1 starter - come anywhere close to those previously mentioned quarterbacks, the Broncos will be thrilled.