The Washington Huskies will have a new starting quarterback in 2022 and its transfer Michael Penix Jr.
Penix, who transferred from Indiana to UW, was named the starter over sophomore Dylan Morris and redshirt freshman Sam Huard. The decision was announced by head coach Kalen DeBoer on Tuesday.
“Michael’s had a great camp,” DeBoer told ESPN on Monday. “There’s a good familiarity with the offense for Penix. It’s been good. He’s had a full offseason to really work out and get stronger and to make sure he can have a good, healthy season.”
The move was expected given that DeBoer and Penix had a preexisting relationship prior to both arriving in Washington. Before a brief stint as the head coach at Fresno State, DeBoer was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Indiana, where he coached Penix.
Washington tight ends coach Nick Sheridan also happened to be the Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator over the past two seasons, where he also coached Penix.
Penix came to the Huskies after four seasons with Indiana. While he was the starting quarterback for the Hoosiers for three seasons, he had struggles with staying on the field, suffering ACL injuries in both 2018 and 2020. He appeared in five games in 2021 before a shoulder injury, garnering 939 yards passing, 4 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
Morris was the Huskies’ starter last season when they went 4-8.
Penix will get his chance at redemption when Washington opens the season against Kent State on September 3.
Washington H(oosiers)uskies https://t.co/96GJfSvYO9
— Justin Berger (@Justin__Berger) August 23, 2022
Michael Penix is a big fun talent and injuries have ravaged his career thus far and I hope he has a big fun season now after transferring https://t.co/wqtT7ASKTQ
— Joey Gulino (@JGulinoYahoo) August 23, 2022
Really hope he can stay healthy. He has been so dynamic at times when healthy, but he hasn't been healthy in any season https://t.co/OY8UuLLQfc
— Jason Horowitz (@HorowitzJason) August 23, 2022
Long explanation from Kalen DeBoer on what Michael Penix Jr. brings to UW's offense: pic.twitter.com/Uv0vSQvLHr
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) August 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/rickbozich/status/1562157190827442177
With Michael Penix Jr. being named starter at Washington today, it’s just about official that UCLA and Stanford will be the only Pac-12 schools to start QB’s they signed out of high school and not a transfer.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) August 23, 2022
[ESPN]
