The season is a lengthy journey, not a quick sprint. We need to navigate through the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, and endure months of speculation, debates, and possibly unreliable reporting before Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the selected names. Thus, it would be premature to speculate on the ideal player fit for any team before completing meetings, medical evaluations, and workouts.
Who didn’t have the Minnesota Vikings in mind while witnessing Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showcase his passing skills during the Huskies’ College Football Playoff victory against Texas?
By the conclusion of the evening, Penix Jr.’s statistical summary was so impressive that you had to reload the page to verify its authenticity. He completed 29 out of 38 passes for 430 yards, notched two touchdowns, and remained untouched by sacks. According to ESPN’s 1-100 QBR scale, he achieved a score of 97.7. Additionally, PFF’s 1-100 grading system awarded the game a 93.5 rating. PFF also acknowledged his contribution of six “big-time” throws and recorded zero turnover-worthy plays.
At the conclusion of the evening, Penix Jr.’s performance was so outstanding that double-checking the page was necessary to confirm its authenticity. He completed 29 of 38 passes, accumulating 430 yards, scoring two touchdowns, and managing to avoid being sacked. On ESPN’s 1-100 QBR scale, he achieved an impressive score of 97.7. According to PFF’s 1-100 grading system, the game was rated at 93.5. PFF also acknowledged his execution of six “big-time” throws without any plays deemed turnover-worthy.
Did he enjoy uninterrupted pockets throughout the night? Not quite. Despite facing pressure 40% of the time, he managed to complete 9 out of 16 passes for 151 yards without any mistakes.
Certainly, in college football, the defensive standards are nowhere near those of the NFL, but Penix Jr. has consistently delivered such impressive performances for two years. From 2022 to 2023, the southpaw quarterback has amassed over 9,000 yards, throwing 66 touchdowns with just 17 interceptions. His record includes 67 big-time throws and only 17 turnover-worthy plays. This year, he secured the top spot in big-time throws, surpassing projected top-two pick Drake Maye by six and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels by 11. Additionally, he ranked 12th in average depth of target.
