At a Glance
- Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has two brothers: biological brother Caleb Nix and adopted brother Tez Johnson
- Caleb played safety at Clemson University after switching from quarterback
- Tez lived with the Nix family since high school and later became Bo’s teammate at Oregon
- Why it matters: The trio’s bond shows how football and family intertwine in Bo’s journey to the NFL
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix’s path to the NFL was shaped by two key figures who share his last name and football passion. His biological brother Caleb Nix and his adopted brother Tez Johnson have been constants throughout his football career, each contributing to his success in unique ways.
The Brothers Behind Bo’s Success
Bo Nix’s brothers represent two different but equally important parts of his life. Caleb, born February 28, 2003, is his biological younger brother who followed in their family’s football tradition. Tez Johnson, born May 18, 2002, became part of the family through adoption after forming a close bond with Bo during high school.
The connection between the three brothers extends beyond family ties into their shared love of football. When Bo was drafted 12th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft, both brothers were present to celebrate the milestone moment. Caleb marked the occasion by posting photos of himself and Bo holding the new Broncos jersey, while Tez later told the Broncos that Bo “means everything” to him.
Caleb’s Football Journey and Transformation
Caleb Nix carved his own path in football, initially playing quarterback like his older brother. However, his college career took a different turn when he walked on at Clemson University. Recognizing the crowded quarterback competition, he made the strategic decision to switch positions.
“Coach Sweeney gave me a preferred walk-on spot and at the time we were pretty full at quarterback, which I knew if I walk on, there’s no guarantee to play quarterback… so I was open to playing something else,” Caleb explained on the I Played, Too podcast in January 2024.
The position change allowed him to contribute to the team as a safety, demonstrating the adaptability that runs through the Nix family. His transformation from quarterback to defensive back mirrors the kind of versatility that defines successful football families.
Tez Johnson’s Adoption into the Nix Family
Tez Johnson’s journey to becoming Bo’s brother began when Patrick Nix, Bo’s father, coached him at Pinson Valley High School. Tez faced significant challenges at home, experiencing instability that made his football future uncertain.
“It was a struggle, just coming up. Like, we didn’t have beds at one point, didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. Growing up in a crazy environment you just see violence every day,” Tez told the Pac-12 Network about his early life.
Patrick Nix proposed a solution that would change everyone’s lives. He asked Tez’s mother, Shamika Johnson, if Tez could stay with the Nix family temporarily. What began as a short-term arrangement became permanent when Tez saw the family dynamic he had been missing.
“The second I came into the house and saw the family sitting together at the dinner table, it was new for me and I didn’t want to leave,” Tez recalled.
High School Championship Success Together
The trio of brothers achieved their greatest high school success together in 2018 when they won the Class 6A State Championship at Pinson Valley High School. Patrick Nix coached the team that included all three brothers, creating a unique family achievement that bonded them forever.
Bo won Alabama’s Mr. Football Award that same year, crediting Tez for his role in their championship success. In a birthday Instagram post to Tez, Bo wrote: “Happy Birthday to my extra brother. Thanks for catching all my passes last year and making me look good. I’m so thankful that you’re apart of our family!”
College Careers and Continued Connections
While Bo transferred to the University of Oregon after starting at Auburn, Tez joined him there after three seasons at Troy University. This reunion allowed the brothers to recreate their high school connection, with Bo throwing touchdown passes to Tez as his wide receiver.
“When I came out here, he was like, ‘Bo, you get to go live my dream,'” Bo told The Oregonian about Tez’s Oregon hoodie. “And then the next thing you know, he’s out here living it, too.”
Caleb’s college path differed as he established himself at Clemson, but the brothers remained connected through their shared experiences and regular communication about football and life.
Recent Milestones and Family Celebrations
The brothers have continued to support each other through major life events. When Bo was drafted by the Broncos, both Caleb and Tez were present for the celebration. Caleb shared his excitement on Instagram, noting that even the Broncos owner mistook him for Bo during the festivities.
Caleb reached a personal milestone when he married Regan Turner on June 20, 2025. The couple had gotten engaged on July 17, 2024, with Regan posting on Instagram about her excitement to spend her life with Caleb.
Tez took his football career to the next level when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him and Bo one of the few brother combinations playing professional football simultaneously.
The Impact of Family on Football Success
Throughout their journey, the Nix brothers have demonstrated how family support can drive athletic achievement. Tez credits the family structure he found with the Nixes for changing his life trajectory.
“The family really saved my life. Who knows where I would have been?” Tez reflected. “Like being around the family I had some structure in my life. I never had the structure that I had until I moved in and I knew I could trust them because the love was there.”
Bo echoed this sentiment about how Tez became integral to their family unit. “He started living with us… he became a brother and then soon after that he’s just like family,” Bo said.
Key Takeaways
- Bo Nix’s success stems from a strong family foundation that includes both his biological brother Caleb and adopted brother Tez
- Each brother found his own path in football: Bo as a first-round NFL draft pick, Caleb as a college safety at Clemson, and Tez as an NFL wide receiver
- Their shared high school championship in 2018 represents the pinnacle of their time playing together
- The brothers continue to support each other through major life events, from draft day to weddings
