Scouts, media and fans alike have been back-and-forth on where to draft former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Some believe he’ll hear his name called in the first-round. Others aren’t so sure based on his injury history early in his collegiate career. Reese’s Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, who saw Penix first-hand during his stay in Mobile for the senior showcase, believes NFL teams shouldn’t evaluate him based on just that.
“I think with Michael, the medical is going to be big — as as everyone has said,” Nagy told On3’s Andy Staples. “Usually, the medical stuff doesn’t get out to the media, into the fan bases. Michael Penix’s injury stuff has — I think everyone’s kind of just leaned on that as an excuse to hedge their bets on where Michael Penix is gonna get drafted. I hope [his physical evaluation] comes out clean and [hope] everyone’s going to stick to a real tape evaluation on the guy.”
Penix spent the first four years of his college career at Indiana before transferring to Washington ahead of the 2022 season where he’d take his game to the next level. Throwing for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in each of his last two seasons with the Huskies, and did so as one of the most accurate passers in college football.
This past season alone, Penix passed for 4,903 yards to go with 36 touchdowns through the air. Leading to Huskies to the CFP — he also finished as a Heisman finalist.
More so, Penix has proven that he can rise to the occasion with the lights on bright. In the College Football Playoff semifinal against Texas, completed 76.3% of his passes for a whopping 430 yards and two touchdowns versus the Longhorns to take Washington to the national championship game. And although he struggled against the Wolverines in the final game of the season, Klatt believes that Penix has all of the necessary tools to translate his play to the NFL level.
Overall, Penix has the experience with 45 games of starting experience across his career. 24 years old, he hasn’t suffered an injury in two seasons, can read defenses on a whim, is mature and has proven to be a leader. Based on those traits, he should have everything he could possibly need to have a solid NFL career.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from April 25 through April 27 live in Detroit. Whether Penix hears his name called on the first, second or third day — one team is going to acquire the services of one of the most prolific quarterbacks in recent college football.
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