For a guy who led the nation in passing yards, Michael Penix Jr. is flying incredibly low under the radar. Washington’s late-blooming star quarterback has put together two extremely impressive seasons in a row, which will culminate in Monday night’s National Championship against Michigan.
Penix has been playing a special kind of ball of late though, and his monster performance against Texas may have exposed him to millions of new fans. He went 29/38 for 430 yards, two touchdowns and a 188.7 rating. His QBR for the season is now 85.7. Only five quarterbacks have a higher mark this year. He’s also tied for third in touchdown passes (35).
The Seahawks already have a damn-good starter at quarterback in Geno Smith, but it will be interesting to see where Seattle’s other star QB lands in the draft. Right now it seems like anything is possible, as Penix’s surge has some people wondering if he might be the No. 1 overall pick. Here’s what folks are saying about No. 9 on Twitter.
Michael Penix Jr. Making a case to be the top pick in the draft? As pure a thrower I’ve ever seen.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) January 2, 2024
Did Michael Penix Jr. deserve more serious Heisman consideration than he got this season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/iynaXfAol0
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) January 3, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. exemplifies greatness, both on and off the field.
Off the field, his embodiment as a "team player" is unparalleled. He proved it at the Heisman Ceremony with his jacket that had all his teammates' names in it.
On the field — you saw it on Monday.
I asked… pic.twitter.com/liQFepThSr
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) January 3, 2024
This throw by Michael Penix Jr.
My goodness….
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/lGoRsMnV73
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) January 2, 2024
East coast/south Heisman voters seeing Michael Penix play for the first time. pic.twitter.com/cG4jiT5VMY
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) January 2, 2024
A day later and still in awe of Michael Penix
These throws were just ridiculous 🎥 pic.twitter.com/S9d3LkpNVH
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 2, 2024
Fun nugget I just found for the title game preview: Michael Penix Jr. has thrown 21 passes to Rome Odunze when UW's in-game win probability (per FPI) was under 50% this year.
Those passes are 19-for-21 for 333 yards. RIDICULOUS.
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) January 3, 2024
#NFLDraft QBs Big-Time Throws | PFF
1. Michael Penix Jr. (40)
2. Drake Maye (34)
3. Jayden Daniels (29)
4. Caleb Williams (27)
5. Cam Ward (24)
pic.twitter.com/lcbHlTWl6K— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) January 4, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. is the best to have played QB in the Pac-12 era. pic.twitter.com/9xIJrONJYj
— B1G Dawg Energy (@B1GDawgEnergy) January 3, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. vs Texas pic.twitter.com/PVKkBy7tfv
— Matt Schick (@ESPN_Schick) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. has skyrocketed up NFL Draft boards into a potential top-10 selection.
🎥: @BleacherReport @brgridiron https://t.co/TgJGuLefYS pic.twitter.com/w6pcOFt6Vq
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 3, 2024
Michael Penix Jr is simply absolutely insane. And The Washington Huskies are extremely lucky to have him. But where should he go in the NFL draft? @SeattleONTap pic.twitter.com/ESQ2cueBEV
— George Jarjour (@GeorgeOnTap) January 3, 2024
Remember when they named Michael Penix Jr. to the Pac-12 second team?
And then they decided he was the Heisman runner-up? https://t.co/lxrDwE7tAZ pic.twitter.com/kL4yud26oY
— britt (@brittanyanne08_) January 2, 2024
lovely flick from Michael Penix to beat the rush pic.twitter.com/T7z2PEJ2vP
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) January 2, 2024
“They can’t sack Penix! This kid handles pressure so well!”
Michael Penix in the pocket at Indiana:
— WBR (@W_B_Rick) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix being named to the Pac-12’s 2nd team looks even more hilarious after tonight
— Curtis Rogers (@AKidFromKent) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. puts the football wherever he wants. It’s truly a work of art. pic.twitter.com/SPX2sFQn0z
— David Cone (@davidadamcone) January 2, 2024
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…
Michael Penix Jr. was robbed of the Heisman.
Tonight:
29/38
430 YDS
2 TDSThis season:
PAC-12 Champion
Sugar Bowl Champion
14-0 Record pic.twitter.com/ibt3y3IRF1— College Football Overtime (@CFB_Overtime) January 2, 2024
QB prospects career dropbacks per game (X-axis) and pressure to sack ratios (Y-axis), upcoming class highlighted.
Michael Penix throws darts, but he’s underrated in sack avoidance. pic.twitter.com/tfl2fZLO90
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix Spin Rate is Ridiculous
There are not more than 5 guys in the NFL that create the RPM’s this lefty can. pic.twitter.com/KLkUGB5EXK
— Brock Huard (@BrockHuard) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix throwing a deep ball: pic.twitter.com/ZqmHaXeG7f
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) January 2, 2024
America watching Michael Penix tonight:
pic.twitter.com/LvWB2po3xM— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix should be drafted in the top 5. pic.twitter.com/PSXG1ioYhj
— B1G Dawg Energy (@B1GDawgEnergy) January 3, 2024
I don't even have words to describe how incredible Michael Penix has been tonight
— Roman Tomashoff (@rtomashoff34) January 2, 2024
Hot take: purely on tape, Michael Penix is closer to Caleb Williams and Drake Maye than many admit.
The injuries and age knock his grade. But he’s smart, accurate, tough and throws a beautiful deep ball. He’s everything you could want as a pure passer. pic.twitter.com/pdAeex0CT6
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 2, 2024
A good quarterback can hit a door from 30 yards away.
A great quarterback can hit the doorknob.
Michael Penix can hit the keyhole.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 2, 2024
I hate the Huskies.
Michael Penix Jr is a special, generational athlete.
Two things can be true.
(DeBoer is also an incredible coach – it was true at Fresno too)— Corey duBrowa (@coreydu) January 2, 2024
NFL decision-makers who haven't seen Michael Penix Jr. throw in-person yet will be blown away in Mobile. As good as he looks on TV and tape, it's different when you're down on the field with him.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 2, 2024
The Michael Penix convo is simple to me, and it will be talked about ad nauseam.
He’s an NFL QB, should be a top-3 pick, but his injury history will ding him (Idc about age, QBs can play a long time).
That said, it only takes 1 team willing to take a chance bc of his skill set.
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix has been inconsistent this season when moved from his spot. But that wasn't the case last night.
Great win by DT Byron Murphy to create the pressure (has to finish there), but even better job by Penix for the quick evade and dart to Odunze. pic.twitter.com/udXdxamwK8
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 2, 2024
If I’m a NFL GM I’m taking Michael Penix Jr in the first round. Has shown leadership, arm talent, and proven ability to deal with adversity. He is going to have to prove to me he is not a leader of a franchise !!!
pic.twitter.com/TQYZQeUfG6— Coach K | Keith Sanchez (@TheTalentCode) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix might still be one of the most underrated college football quarterbacks of the last few years. I'm sorry, this is just not normal.
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. is special.
He proved it when I saw him at fall camp in August.
And proved it again week after week this season.
But I don’t know if I’ve seen him play better than last night.
And if you asked anyone around the Husky facility if they were expecting this… pic.twitter.com/eLEKifspCK
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) January 3, 2024
Some thoughts on Michael Penix in the NFL…
* People knock his mobility, but how much more mobile is CJ Stroud? Kirk Cousins? Brock Purdy? Tua? Stafford? Burrow?
* Mobility matters less when you process well and get rid of the ball quickly. he does both
* His arm talent is…
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) January 3, 2024
Whoever drafts Michael Penix Jr. is getting a guy who is the definition of resilience, a guy who thinks of his team first. Wants all his teammates to win on & off the field before him.
Mike will change the locker room energy of whoever drafts him in a heartbeat.
Spot On Ball… https://t.co/UvtLFyohXp
— Jordon Rayy (@JordonRayy) January 3, 2024
Quick reminder.
Michael Penix Jr is an NFL QB, playing in college. Happy Thursday.
See you in Houston 🙂 @UW_Football | @Pac12Network
— Yogi Roth (@YogiRoth) January 4, 2024
Michael Penix may have torn two ACL’s and separated his throwing shoulder in his career, but they replaced all that with a cannon for a left arm that shoots footballs like laser beams!
How did this kid not win the Heisman? pic.twitter.com/yluiv0s0it
— Coach Woodard (@Coach_Woodard) January 2, 2024
