Ourlads' Profile:
2024 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about MICHAEL PENIX JR.:
Washington | HT: 6022 | WT: 216 | 40 time: 4.65 | Arm: 3358 | Hand: 1012 | Wing: 8100
Five-year starter. Spent four seasons at Indiana where he earned All-Big 10 honors in 2020. Transferred to Washington in 2022 and earned All-Pac 12 honors in both 2023 and 2022. All-America in 2023 in addition to winning the Maxwell Award. Winner of the 2022 AP Comeback Player of the Year Award. Penix’s career was marred by injuries early on. He suffered four separate season-ending injuries to his right knee and both shoulders. He was turning Indiana around in 2020, as he had them as highly ranked as number seven in the country and he was leading the Big 10 in passing before he went down. The transfer to Washington displayed what he was capable of. Penix did not miss a single game in two years, he set and then broke single season passing records for the program, and he led the nation in passing the past two years. He is battle tested and has come out on the other side of adversity a winner. Has more than enough arm talent and athletic ability to physically do it all. The lack of pressure he dealt with during his time at Washington from opposing pass rushers does leave some gray area around his projection. Did not always deal with tight windows and quality opposing defenses well. This is a wildcard-type prospect for multiple reasons, but one with the ability to be an explosive play engineer. Has hands that can truly wrap the football, which aids him in putting consistent RPMs on his passes. Creates tremendous force on the ball with sudden arm-only motion when he needs to. Tremendous success with the deep ball. Confident decision maker who has touch and accuracy down the field. Quality athletic profile that can make things happen with his legs when he needs to. Was rarely touched by the defense and did not respond well when defenders got near his feet. Did not play his best football in high-leverage situations. Will take unnecessary risks. Struggles to maintain accuracy when moving to left or right. Footwork within the pocket is inconsistent. Medicals are a potential deal-breaker.
2023 Stats: 363/555, 4903 yds, 65.4%, 36 TD, 11 INT, 8 yds rushing, 3 TD, 157.1 QB rating. Draft projection: 1st/2nd round