Quarterbacks

Michael Penix Jr. NFL Draft Preview

By William Spencer

Posted on April 8, 2024

The 2024 NFL draft is littered with quarterback prospects, and while everyone is talking about top prospects like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye (and JJ McCarthy has been getting a boost as of late), Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has also been garnering attention and his value has been heating up, especially after Penix’s pro day where he showed off his wheels. Penix ran a 4.46 (unofficial) on his pro day and showed that he can move whether he throws the ball or has to take off. 

Penix has some red flags on his resume as he had to deal with tearing his ACL twice while he was at Indiana during his freshman and sophomore years. After transferring to Washington and recovering from his injuries, Penix led the Huskies to two 10+ win seasons. Under Penix in his first season in 2022, the Washington Huskies would finish with an 11-2 record while Penix threw for 4,641 passing yards, leading the FBS passing yards per game, and also became the Huskies all-time single-season passing leader during the Alamo Bowl. Penix would also be awarded the AP Comeback Player of the Year in the same season. The icing on the cake would be his 32:8 touchdown to interception ratio in 2022. 

In 2023, Penix would keep that momentum going, leading the Huskies to an astounding 14-1 season while throwing for 4,903 yards and ending the season with a 36:11 touchdown to interception ratio. The Huskies would go undefeated during the regular season at 13-0 and their only loss would be in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game. Penix finished second in Heisman voting and was named the MVP of the Pac-12 championship game versus Oregon. 

Measurables

• 6’2″, 216 lbs
• 40-yard dash – 4.45
• Vertical Jump – 36.5 in.
• Hand Span – 10.5 in. 

Positives

One thing I saw that stood out to me looking over Penix’s highlights is that he’s unafraid to fit the ball into tight windows. Penix was throwing to wide receiver Rome Odunze during his two seasons with the Washington Huskies, and no matter where they seemed to link up, Penix was able to hit Odunze for several close shots whether it was downfield or in the short to intermediate range. But speaking of Penix’s ability to throw downfield, Penix was the NCAA’s best deep ball passer in 2023, completing 57 of 117  passes of 20+ yards for 16 touchdowns and just seven interceptions with a 105.7 passer rating. 

Penix doesn’t lack anything regarding his throws, able to throw with speed and precision or switch it up to throw with more touch to get the ball over defenders to his pass catchers. Penix and Rome Odunze, one of the top wide receivers in the 2024 draft, had a rather uncanny connection during their time with the Huskies. Odunze could separate from defenders at the right time for Penix to drop the ball even against the tightest coverages. Depending on what team picks up Penix during the draft will greatly determine how effective he can be at the NFL level. 

Negatives

One thing I kept seeing being talked about was Micheal Penix Jr.’s championship game against the Michigan Wolverines to point to some detractors of his game. I saw that getting Penix off his spot and rushing him by sending extra defenders at him can disrupt his timing. Penix rushed a few passes or was off target because of incoming defenders. Another play stood out when the Wolverines sent four and still got pressure on Penix, forcing him to rush the pass and missing a wide-open receiver on the right side of the field. Maybe if Penix slid up in the pocket he could have delivered a better ball. 

Penix will need to be patient and move around in the pocket better when the pass rush is bearing down on him. He won’t always have a clean pocket when facing some of the best defenders in the NFL. Another concern about Penix is his injury history. I mentioned Penix’s ACL injuries during his time in Indiana but I’m sure that it should pay a factor as he’s had better seasons health-wise after transferring to Washington but it has been a point of emphasis. 

Grade: B+

I like Michael Penix Jr overall. His willingness to throw the ball into tight windows is more of an asset at the NFL level than some want to give credit. Penix can also make all the throws at the NFL level, especially if he has time and a clean pocket. And you can’t rule out his mobility after running a 4.46 40 time during his pro day. Penix checks off most of the boxes for me so I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets drafted ahead of some of the other quarterbacks that would round out a top 10 QB prospect list. My only drawbacks for Penix that might impact his draft value are his age (he’ll be 24 before the season starts) and where he could land in the draft. 

Hopefully, Penix can land with one of the more quarterback-needy teams in the upcoming draft. My favorite landing spot for Penix would be Minnesota. But rumors are going around that the Vikings could forego the quarterbacks in the 2024 draft and let Sam Darnold rock out for the year and look to the draft in 2025 to select a quarterback. It could all be a smokescreen ahead of the draft as well. However it ends up shaking out, Michael Penix Jr. is to a quarterback many will have their eyes on during the draft and beyond.