Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 04/12/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.57 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 24.5 DOB: 05/08/2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | |
Last Updated: 04/12/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2024 | |
40 time: 4.57 seconds (93%*) | |
Age: 24.5 DOB: 05/08/2000 | |
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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Overall Rating: | 89.8 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Release Speed: |
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85% |
Short Passing: |
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84% |
Medium Passing: |
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92% |
Long Passing: |
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93% |
Rush/Scramble: |
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66% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 10
Overall Rank:
#9
Position rank:
#4
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College Games: 47 College Snaps: 2988 | ||
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#311
Pos Rank:
#40
State Rank:
#115
College Combine Results
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Ovr Rank: #548 Pos Rank: #21 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Zach Wilson - BYU |
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79% |
C.J. Stroud - Ohio State |
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77% |
Kenny Pickett - Pittsburgh |
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76% |
Drafted: ROUND: 1 - Pick Number: 8 (ATL)
Draft Profile: Bio
Michael Penix Jr., a southpaw quarterback from Tampa, Florida, has carved a remarkable path in his collegiate football career. Starting at Tampa Bay Technical High School as a 3-star recruit, Penix committed to Indiana University, where he displayed potential in his freshman year before suffering an ACL injury. His tenure at Indiana was marked by injuries, but his resilience for the most part shone through.Transferring to the University of Washington, Penix found his stride. As a Husky, he started all 13 games in his debut season, boasting over 30 touchdown passes and over 4,600 passing yards, a testament to his determination and skill. His leadership and performance earned him the role of one of the four team captains, as voted by his teammates.
Penix's time at Washington has been distinguished by numerous accolades. Notably, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, the highest in UW Huskies history, surpassing the fourth-place finish of Steve Emtman in 1991. He led the nation in passing yards for two consecutive years, culminating in 4,218 passing yards and 33 touchdowns, along with three rushing scores, in his best season. Under his guidance, the Huskies achieved a perfect 13-0 record, a Pac-12 championship, and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
He shined brilliantly in the most crucial game of his career In Washington’s 37-31 thrilling shootout win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl, and showcased exceptional accuracy and arm strength, especially notable when he hit his first 11 passes in the second half. Despite a history of injuries, the Indiana transfer remained healthy for two seasons at Washington, rejuvenating his career under new coach Kalen DeBoer. His first pass, a 77-yard stunner to Polk, set the tone. Throughout the season, Penix has been adept at avoiding sacks and making big plays, but this game, in front of his largest audience, was a standout performance, pushing Washington to the verge of a national championship.
Honors & awards
- 2023 Heisman Trophy Finalist
- 2023 Maxwell Award Finalist
- 2023 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Finalist
- 2023 Davey O'Brien Award Finalist
- 2023 All-America Second Team (CBS Sports, The Athletic)
- 2022 Manning Award Finalist
- 2022 All-America Honorable Mention (Pro Football Focus, Phil Steele)
- 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year
- 2022 Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist
- 2022 PFF All-Pac-12 Second Team
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Has a big strong arm, is able to effortlessly throw a deep out without any effort. The Sugar bowl proved he was more than capable of making any NFL pass with ease
- Exhibits elite field generalship; excels in dissecting defensive alignments pre-snap, ensuring high-percentage throws post-snap.
- Shows touch on deep balls and intermediate routes, demonstrating an ability to drop dimes in tight coverage.
- Shows continued progression in arm mechanics, adept at layering throws over linebackers and under safeties with precision.
- Routinely identifies mismatches and exploits secondary weaknesses with rapid progression reads.
- Instills confidence in his receiving corps, delivering throws that allow for yards-after-catch opportunities and highlight-reel grabs.
- Displays pocket mobility with subtle slide and step-up maneuvers, maintaining downfield focus under duress.
- Able to quickly bounce back from setbacks - has a short memory - just what you need in a signal caller
- Physical toolkit meshes well with pro-style offenses; has the build and athleticism to extend plays and absorb contact at the next level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Penix's game could benefit from further refinement, particularly in achieving consistency and precision in pocket drop timing, impacting his ball placement.
- Experiences occasional accuracy lapses across various field zones, especially on finesse throws, potentially linked to his unorthodox and elongated throwing motion.
- His extensive injury history, including multiple ACL tears, raises durability concerns, a critical factor for quarterbacks in the demanding NFL environment.
- As a left-handed quarterback, Penix may pose a challenge for some NFL teams that would need to adjust their offensive scheme to suit his playing style.
- Penix's age and extended college tenure may limit perceived upside; at 24, scouts question his potential for development compared to younger prospects.
- While capable of quality throws, Penix's arm mechanics sometimes slow his release, offering defenders a split-second advantage in the quicker pro game.
Scouting Report: Summary
Michael Penix Jr. is a modern NFL quarterback, combining precise passing, athleticism, and a high football IQ. His proficiency in making every throw and his leadership in the pocket distinguish him as a compelling prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft. While concerns about his injury history and being 24 at draft time persist, his arm talent and resilience position him as a top quarterback prospect.Penix, despite potential worries about his age and past injuries. His character, demonstrated by his tribute to teammates at the Heisman ceremony, highlights his leadership. His record at UW and resilience through injuries underscore his NFL readiness.
As a top-tier player in UW's history and a close contender for the Heisman Trophy, Penix has proven his skill and determination. His journey of overcoming adversity and dominating at Washington signals a player prepared for the challenge of the pro game.
We currently don't expect him to last longer than pick 20 in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft - his blend of arm talent, talent, intelligence, and leadership points to a successful pro career, making him a promising NFL prospect.
Michael Penix Jr. percentiles vs other Quarterbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
Update - 04/12/2024
Following an elite performance in the Sugar bowl Penix further boosted his draft stock and is now being talked as a top 10 selection.Michael Penix Jr. Video Review
How other scouting services rate Michael Penix Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
42.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
5.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.