Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a big season as a transfer to Washington in 2022. But rather than enter the 2023 NFL Draft, he’s coming back to school.
Penix was certain to be drafted in 2023. Moreover, he had recently been tabbed as not only a first-round pick but someone who could go in the first half of the first round. But on Sunday, Penix announced that he’s returning to Washington for the 2023 season.
BREAKING: UW QB Michael Penix Jr. just announced on Instagram that he’s returning for the 2023 season pic.twitter.com/tyZJnbdxtN
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) December 5, 2022
College football fans, by and large, were not expecting this news and expressed that on social media after the announcement was made.
Holy cow. This is a surprise… https://t.co/eNUOxLiNWW
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) December 5, 2022
Huge!! The team is already a national contender and now our Heisman candidate is returning next season!! Keep rising!! 📈🏆🏈
Now I know who we should feature in my drawing for next season’s @UW_Football fan giveaway!! ✏️🤓@UWAthletics @KalenDeBoer @cmhein @JRem_UW @KasemanUW https://t.co/3DlK9Nkrvc
— Keegan Hall (@KeeganHall) December 5, 2022
Wow!!! Very exciting news for the Dawgs. https://t.co/DHzfR61ISG
— Mitch Levy (@Mitch_Seattle) December 5, 2022
Wonderful news for Husky football. But I have to wonder if it’s the right move for his life and career after school. With that said, you can tell he loves being at UW and everything that means. https://t.co/UQslWtrA3i
— @jome20.bsky.social (@Jome253) December 5, 2022
Good news for college football fans, because the Tampa Bay Tech product is a lot of fun to watch https://t.co/f8BsGt0A1J
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) December 5, 2022
Penix showed that there’s still some work to be done during the season.
Michael Penix Jr. throws a pick-six seconds after announcers were raving about his arm.
Put this one in the terrible timing folder. pic.twitter.com/BLXsluMgyR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 5, 2022
But he also showed why NFL scouts are interested in, making some big throws.
Michael Penix Jr. to Taj Davis for a 62-yard touchdown! Washington tied it up with the XP.
Penix has thrown for 399 yards. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/5n6ddyj21y
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 13, 2022
Penix finished the regular season with 4,354 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He also picked up four touchdowns on the ground.
The issue for Penix throughout his career has been durability.
Been sayin I think it's best for HIM (and obviously UW) to return. I don't think the NFL questions a lot but mainly whether he can stay healthy. Another year taking every snap will put that to bed. He and Caleb will be the biggest names in NCAA football in 2023. https://t.co/tMrdsEAUej
— Nigel Burton (@CoachNBurton) December 5, 2022
While at Indiana, he played in only three games in 2018, six in 2019 and 2020 and five in 2021. In 2022, though, he played in all of Washington’s games and took nearly all of the Huskies’ snaps at quarterback. If he can do something similar in the 2023 season, he’ll be an early name off of the board in 2024’s NFL Draft.
[Mike Vorel on Twitter]
