Barth’s 2024 Draft Profiles: Washington QB Michael Penix
Washington quarterback Michael Penix scouting report. What will NFL teams make of the Huskies’ polarizing passer?
Sep 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) looks to pass against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY SportsWashington quarterback Michael Penix will be one of the most polarizing players in this year's draft. He's flashed immense upside as a passer but his performance in the National Championship against Michigan was not a great final showing, and he'll have to overcome questions about his durability and age as well.
Michael Penix scouting report
Sep 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) looks to pass against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Background
College: Washington
Age: 23
Height: 6'3
Weight: 213
Awards: Maxwell Award (2023), AP Comeback Player of the Year (2022), All-American First Team (2023), All-Pac-12 Second Team (2022, 2023), All-Big Ten Second Team (2020)
A three-star recruit out of Tampa Bay Technical High School, Penix was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2018, in which he was the 66th-ranked quarterback. He began his career at Indiana, where he brought the program rare success when he was on the field. Penix went 12-5 as a starter for the Hoosiers but never played more than six games in a season his whole time there - he tore his right ACL in 2018 and 2020, and was limited injuries in his left (throwing) shoulder in 2019 and 2021.
Penix didn't play his first full season until 2022 when he transferred to Washington. He threw for 4,641 yards that season as the Huskies went 11-2. He took another step in 2023, setting career-high numbers almost across the board as he led Washington to a Pac-12 title and the College Football Playoff. In the playoff he had an outstanding performance against Texas in the semifinal, but struggled against Michigan in the National Championship. While both performances brought strong reactions, the reality is who he is as a player is somewhere between those two games - as film from his full 2023 season indicates.
For more player breakdowns, scouting reports, and all things 2024 NFL Draft, check out the 98.5 The Sports Hub Draft Hub page.
Stats
| Year | School | Conf | Class | G(S) | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Indiana | Big Ten | FR | 3(0) | 21 | 34 | 61.8 | 219 | 6.4 | 1 | 0 | 125.6 |
| 2019 | Indiana | Big Ten | rFR | 6(6) | 110 | 160 | 68.8 | 1394 | 8.7 | 10 | 4 | 157.6 |
| 2020 | Indiana | Big Ten | rSO | 6(6) | 124 | 220 | 56.4 | 1645 | 7.5 | 14 | 4 | 136.5 |
| 2021 | Indiana | Big Ten | rJR | 5(5) | 87 | 162 | 53.7 | 939 | 5.8 | 4 | 7 | 101.9 |
| 2022 | Washington | Pac-12 | rJR | 13(13) | 362 | 554 | 65.3 | 4641 | 8.4 | 31 | 8 | 151.3 |
| 2023 | Washington | Pac-12 | rSR | 15(15) | 363 | 555 | 65.4 | 4903 | 8.8 | 36 | 11 | 157.1 |
| Career | 48(45) | 1067 | 1685 | 63.3 | 13741 | 8.2 | 96 | 34 | 146.6 | |||
| Indiana | 20(17) | 342 | 576 | 59.4 | 4197 | 7.3 | 29 | 15 | 132.0 | |||
| Washington | 28 (28) | 725 | 1109 | 65.4 | 9544 | 8.6 | 67 | 19 | 154.2 |
| Year | School | Conf | Class | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Indiana | Big Ten | FR | 3 | 7 | 45 | 6.4 | 0 |
| 2019 | Indiana | Big Ten | rFR | 7 | 22 | 119 | 5.4 | 2 |
| 2020 | Indiana | Big Ten | rSO | 6 | 18 | 25 | 1.4 | 2 |
| 2021 | Indiana | Big Ten | rJR | 5 | 17 | -24 | -1.4 | 2 |
| 2022 | Washington | Pac-12 | rJR | 13 | 35 | 92 | 2.6 | 4 |
| 2023 | Washington | Pac-12 | rSR | 15 | 35 | 8 | 0.2 | 3 |
| Career | 48 | 134 | 265 | 2.0 | 13 | |||
| Indiana | 20 | 64 | 165 | 2.6 | 6 | |||
| Washington | 28 | 70 | 100 | 1.4 | 7 |
Strengths
-- Pure arm talent is among the best in this class - the ball explodes out of his hand
-- Elite downfield thrower
-- Sees the field well pre- and post-snap
-- Tremendous understanding of where to place the ball on throws, can throw receivers open
-- Moves well in the pocket
-- Leadership and toughness traits you want in a franchise leader
Weaknesses
-- Effectiveness drops off against pressure more than the average quarterback
-- Unconventional mechanics
-- Not a quarterback a team will design runs for
-- Injury history will be a red flag for some teams - medical testing at the NFL Combine will be big for him
-- Older prospect (turns 24 in May)
Video breakdown
Player comparisons
Ceiling: Philip Rivers
Middle: Geno Smith
Floor: Carson Wentz
Bottom line
Penix stacks up against any quarterback in this class as a pure passer. But concerns about his injury history and a lack of ceiling due to his age will push him down the board. The question is, how much?
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
