An experienced and talented quarterback who had a career year, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to bring his experience to the next level as he enters the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Huskies’ Heisman finalist:
Vitals
Height: 6-3
Weight: 213
Class: Senior
Transferred from Indiana after 2021
Strengths
With a variable load of starting snaps under his belt and back to back highly productive seasons with the Huskies, Michael Penix Jr. has plenty of tools to be considered a potential starting quarterback in the NFL.
Penix possesses excellent arm strength, able to make throws inside and outside the numbers deep down the field, he graded out as one of the best deep ball throwers in all of college football last season. Penix possesses a quick release that flies out of his hand on a whim and can put enough velocity into his throws at a moment’s notice. With his experience, Penix has become one of the best processors in his class and understands what opposing defenses are attempting to do on defense and can create the optimal audible or adjustment within a play call. Tight window throws in the middle field are a little trouble, given his laser-like throws, and Penix will be able to play in a variety of offenses.
During his Senior year in Washington, Penix made a push for the Heisman trophy, ultimately falling short after an impressive year where he threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and maintained a quarterback rating of 157.1 through the seasons.
Weaknesses
There is a glaring question when it comes to Penix’s injury history and overall medicals that could ultimately send him as far as the ranks of the undrafted.
Penix also has question marks when it comes to his ability to create plays outside the pocket as well as decision-making when attempting to make plays outside the play design, leading to turnovers.
Projection
It is going to be hard to project Penix given his extensive injury history as well as his lack of real playmaking ability outside the pocket. There is certainly enough here for Penix to receive a late first round grade given his arm talent, experience, intelligence, and variance of throws, but it will ultimately come down to how NFL teams feel about him outside of those top tier traits. It’s unfortunate that Penix has little control over his medical grade, but such is the reality of the NFL.
Projection: Day two selection
