Scouting Report: Michael Penix Jr. (QB) - Washington
Sales Pitch: “Traditional dropback passer with the arm talent and accuracy to push the ball down the field at a high level. Lacks mobility and struggles attacking the middle of the field which when combined with age and injury history raise some concerning red flags”
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 2 1/4”
Weight: 216 lbs
Arm Length: 33 5/8”
Hand Size: 10 1/2”
40 Yard Dash: 4.58
10 Yard Split: 1.58
Vertical: 36.5”
Broad Jump: 10’ 5”
Short Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Age: 23
Relative Athletic Score: 9.75 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 63.3% - 13,741 YDS - 96 TD - 34 INT - 146.6 RTG
2023: 65.4% - 4,903 YDS - 36 TD - 11 INT - 157.1 RTG
Strengths
Multiple years of high level starting experience and production
Displays pre snap communication and diagnostic skills
Tremendous mental and physical toughness
Aggressive player with short memory willing to trust teammates
and schemeUnderstands defender leverage and how to throw WRs open- Elite deep ball thrower
Good ball handling, footwork and accuracy in quick game
Displays poise versus blitzes and edge pressure
Able to work through multiple progressions in straight dropback
gamePlus arm talent w/ high end velocity when in clean pockets
Keeps eyes up and looks to throw when play breaks down
Weaknesses
Limited athlete, typically not used as runner or scrambler
Tends to be a tick late getting to backside of progressions
Fails to throw with anticipation or accuracy to intermediate areas
of the field past 10 yardsAccuracy can fluctuate from game to game
Predetermines throws, either from the snap or to his checkdown,
can put the ball or receiver in harms wayAccuracy declines when he is forced of spot and has to quickly
reset his feetArm strength is closer to average off difficult platforms and on the move due to marginal elasticity in his arm
Faced limited pressure in college and struggled when interior lineman lost
Struggled to adjust to creative post snap coverages and route alterations
by his receiversMarginal ability to navigate muddy pockets and deliver accurate footballs
One pitch thrower, lacks touch on layered throws into 2nd and 3rd levels
Long release that require a big launching pad to be consistent. Disruptions to his throwing motion cause breakdowns in footwork and mechanics.
Summary
Michael Penix Jr. and the upstart Washington Huskies were one of the best stories of the 2023 college football season. Penix, the Heisman runner-up, compiled almost 5,000 passing yards and over 35 TDs en route to leading the Huskies to a National Title game appearance. One of the most mentally and physically tough players in the sport, Penix time and time again made big plays late in games to lead his team to victory. Known for his rocket arm, he generates a large amount of torque through his mid section when operating from clean pockets. Penix’s combination of plus velocity with high end deep ball accuracy and aggression resulted in him captaining a high octane passing attack at Washington. Penix displayed the pre snap processing and arm talent needed to operate a legit drop back game featured NFL concepts in college. Despite his gaudy stats there are holes in Penix game as a passer. He rarely attacked the middle of the field in the 10-20 range and did not display the anticipation or touch needed to access those areas at a consistent level. In addition, for as good as his accuracy is outside the numbers, it largely came from clean pockets. His mechanics start to break down when faced with pressure, a rare occasion for him at Washington. Penix has a longer side arm throwing motion that requires a big launch pad to get off, when there is pressure in his lap or he is forced to quickly reset himself after getting knocked off his spot he generates far less velocity on his throws and his accuracy declines. Penix also struggles to navigate muddy pockets, when combined with below average mobility and a lack of creativity as a passer it raises questions about his ability to solve problems at the next level. He will also have big questions surrounding his age (23 years old) and injury history (multiple knee and shoulder injuries during his time in college). Penix’s combination of toughness, experience and arm talent give him NFL ready traits. When combined with solid accuracy and decision making skills it gives him a high floor with immediate starter potential but limited mobility and holes in his drop back passing game raise questions about his ceiling.