The College Football Playoff tends to bring out analysis from national talking heads who don’t spend much time watching college football during the regular season. No better example of that came during Tuesday morning’s episode of Undisputed, when legendary NFL wide receiver Michael Irvin compared Washington star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to Michael Vick.
While both Penix and Vick sported incredible arm strength as left-handed quarterbacks, the comparison stops there. Vick, of course, was known for his game-changing speed at the quarterback position, while Penix rarely takes off and runs. In fact, before Monday’s 31 yards rushing against Texas, Penix had actually accounted for negative rushing yards on the season.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
“The way that other touchdown came out, that reminds you of Michael Vick,” Irvin said. “Remember how the ball used to jump off of Michael Vick’s hands?”
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. reminds @MichaelIrvin88 of Mike Vick 👀
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) January 2, 2024
“He’s going to jump up draft boards.” pic.twitter.com/EtBdYIpNvG
Irvin later went on to note that “the way [Penix] moves” would be one of the reasons for his potential rise up NFL boards. And while his larger point that the Washington quarterback is undervalued in the first round conversation may turn out correct, the Vick comparison made it very hard to take Irvin’s analysis seriously.
Michael Vick AVERAGED 61.7 yards rushing per game in his final college season
— Zach Pereles (@zach_pereles) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. has TOTALED 13 yards rushing this year. https://t.co/WOCKKiBWZh
comparing michael vick to michael penix has to be the most insane comparison i’ve seen in my entire life. https://t.co/OdWdZ3E3Fp
— carlos: a pac-12 mourner 🍉 (@equitybruin) January 2, 2024
Not even remotely similar players https://t.co/PdzaoCFLkT
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) January 2, 2024
Soooo you apparently don't watch Michael Penix play football. https://t.co/w7BTdDxQbV
— Justin Hopkins (@JHopkinsSD) January 2, 2024
Both named Michael and both left handed. That’s about it. https://t.co/VrhDhtTmEU
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) January 2, 2024
worst comp of all time, congrats https://t.co/W8sqS5iBrV
— . (@justinreech) January 2, 2024
Michael Penix is literally nothing like Michael Vick at all. Why do these networks pay these ex-players so much money to talk complete nonsense https://t.co/q7pmX0l2Co
— Matt Heiniger (@HeinigeronSport) January 2, 2024
