With the 2023 NFL regular season in the books, and the 2024 scouting combine just around the corner, it’s time to view all 2024 draft prospects with a more critical eye. We will of course have more detailed scouting reports at the pre-draft process goes along, but here’s a thumbnail scouting report of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
In the last of his six college seasons, the former Indiana transfer did a lot in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s system, completing 364 of 556 passes for 4,906 yards, 36 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a passer rating of 106.7. Penix was the NCAA’s most prolific deep passer in the 2023 season, completing 51 of 117 (!) passes of 20 or more air yards, 16 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a passer rating of 105.1.
When pressured last season, Penix completed just 59 of 141 passes for 1,072 yards, six touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 68.0. The drop in efficiency under pressure is something to pay attention to when reviewing Penix as a prospect. In addition, Penix had multiple season-ending injuries during his four seasons at Indiana, including two ACL tears (in the same knee).
Another thing that will give evaluators pause is Penix’ performance in Washington’s 34-13 CFP National Championship loss to Michigan. He completed 27 of 51 passes for 25 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 63.0 against a defense that’s pretty much NFL-ready in a schematic sense.
If Penix’s combine medicals show up clean, I’d give him a mid- to late first-round grade.
PLUSES
— Deep passing volume is ridiculous; attempted 117 throws of 20 or more air yards last season
— Can zip the ball into tight windows at all levels of the field
— Has all the pitches; will change the speed and arc of his throws
— Easy (if slightly elongated) delivery
MINUSES
— Reaction to pressure can vary wildly; accuracy suffers when he’s moved off his spot
— Will speed up his clock too much at times and must guard against playing frenetically
— Several bad misses against Michigan, which is probably the closest he’s seen to an NFL defense
— Medicals at the combine will be huge for him after multiple injuries at Indiana, though he’s played all the way through two seasons at Washington
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
PLUSES
— Deep passing volume is ridiculous; attempted 117 throws of 20 or more air yards last season
— Can zip the ball into tight windows at all levels of the field
— Has all the pitches; will change the speed and arc of his throws
— Easy… pic.twitter.com/wMStlxtPPt— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 21, 2024
