Michael Penix Jr. started his NFL career with an explosion that garnered attention. Only five games into the league, he has already thrown 1,168 yards, registered four touchdowns, and completed 98 passes. The Atlanta Falcons’ dominating 24-14 win over the Buffalo Bills speaks volumes about Penix’s caliber. Against the Bills, he completed 20 out of 32 throws for 250 yards and a touchdown.
Penix’s pass completion percentage is increasing with each game he is playing at the highest level of the sport. With all the hype, it’s worth looking back at the collegiate career that prepared him for this moment. Over six seasons at two different universities, Penix established himself as a dynamic offensive leader, primary playmaker, and top-tier quarterback.
How Did Penix’s 2018 True Freshman Season at Indiana Go?
Penix is from Tampa Bay and spent the final two years of his high school career at Tampa Bay Tech Senior High, where he was a three-star recruit. In December 2017, he committed to the Indiana Hoosiers to begin his collegiate football career as a true Freshman.
Penix first stepped on the field in a college football game against FIU on September 1, 2018. Even though he never made a start in the season, he played three games, completing 21 out of 34 passes, throwing 219 yards. Penix also recorded a touchdown. But on October 10, 2018, Penix’s season ended early due to an ACL tear.
- PFSN College QBi Score: N/A
- Completions: 21
- Attempts: 34
- Yards: 219
- TDs: 1
- INTs: 0
- Rush Attempts: 7
- Rush Yards: 45
- Rush TDs: 0
2019: A Promising Redshirt Freshman Season Cut Short
Penix returned from his ACL injury stronger and ready to prove himself. Throughout the season, he started in all six games he played in and put impressive numbers up while earning multiple honors.
In the season opener on August 31, 2019, against Ball State, Penix went 24 for 40 for 326 yards. His standout performance earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. He received the award a second time after his game against Michigan State on September 28, 2019, during which he completed a school record of 20-straight passes.
Although he came out strong, his season was once again cut short after a win. He injured his right sternoclavicular joint, ending his season early.
- PFSN College QBi Score: N/A
- Completions: 110
- Attempts: 160
- Yards: 1,394
- TDs: 10
- INTs: 4
- Rush Attempts: 22
- Rush Yards: 119
- Rush TDs: 2
Michael Penix Jr. 2020 Season Showcases Leadership and Breakout Moments
The 2020 season, shaped by the COVID-19 Pandemic, was unlike any other in college football. This year, Penix stepped up as a team captain and proved his leadership on and off the field. In the six games he started, Penix threw 14 touchdown passes and got two from the ground before his season was cut short once again by an ACL injury.
In the two games leading up to his injury, Penix delivered breakout performances that helped him earn multiple honors by the season’s end. On November 14, 2020, he went 30-for-50 for 342 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan, earning the National Quarterback Award, the Great 8, and the Manning Award Quarterback of the week. The following week, on November 21, 2020, against Ohio State, he threw a career-high of 491 yards.
Penix’s efforts in 2020 earned him numerous awards, including second-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media), Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist, Davey O’Brien Award Class of 2020, Maxwell Award Watch List, and Indiana’s Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player.
- PFSN College QBi Score: N/A
- Completions: 124
- Attempts: 220
- Yards: 1,645
- TDs: 14
- INTs: 4
- Rush Attempts: 18
- Rush Yards: 25
Penix’s 2021 Season: High Expectations, Another Setback
Penix entered his redshirt Junior season at Indiana as a team captain and with Big Ten Preseason Honors, ready to build on the momentum from the previous year. His season ended after five games due to a dislocated joint in his shoulder. In these five games, he threw four touchdowns and ran for two more.
Although his season was cut short once again, Penix still proved himself and earned several honors, including the Maxwell Award Watch List, Davey O’Brien Award Watch List, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List, Manning Award Watch List, and Johnny Unitas Award Watch List.
- PFSN College QBi Score: 81.1 (B-)
- Completions: 87
- Attempts: 162
- Yards: 939
- TDs: 4
- INTs: 7
- Rush Attempts: 17
- Rush Yards: 24
2022: A Career-Defining Year at Washington
In his second-to-last collegiate season, Penix transferred to Washington, where he flourished. For the first time in his career, he started all 13 games, completing a full season injury-free. He threw 31 touchdown passes and added four more on the ground. Penix went 326 for 554 for 4,641 yards, leading the nation in passing yards per game with an average of 357 and earning recognition as the No. 1 passer in NCAA-FBS.
Penix’s standout season earned him numerous accolades including, 2022 Associated Press, Comeback Player of the Year, All-America Third Team (Pro Football Network), All-America Honorable Mention (Pro Football Focus, Phil Steele), All-Pac-12 Second Team, All-Pac-12 Second Team (Associated Press, Phil Steele), Manning Award Finalist, Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist, PFF All-Pac-12 Second Team, Pro Football Network All-Pac-12 Second Team, and Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.
- PFSN College QBi Score: 83.4 (B)
- Completions: 362
- Attempts: 554
- Yards: 4,641
- TDs: 31
- INTs: 8
- Rush Attempts: 35
- Rush Yards: 92
- Rush TDs: 4
2023: Penix’s Record-Breaking Senior Season at Washington
Penix entered his senior season at Washington as a team captain and one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. He entered the 2023 season with many preseason watch lists looking out for him.
This included the Manning Award Preseason Watch List, Walter Camp Award Preseason Watch List, Davey O’Brien Preseason Watch List, Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, Preseason All-America Second Team (Phil Steele), Preseason All-America Third Team (Athlon), and Preseason All-Pac-12 Second Team (Pac-12, Athlon, PFF, Phil Steele).
In the 15 games, Penix threw 36 touchdown passes and ran for three more. His leadership on and off the field helped guide Washington to the Sugar Bowl, where he was named MVP, and then to the College Football Playoff and National Championship.
He finished the season with numerous awards, including the 2023 Maxwell Award Winner and second place in the Heisman Trophy race. Penix was also the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Finalist and the Davey O’Brien Award Finalist.
He also made it to the All-America First Team (Walter Camp), All-America Second Team (AP, FWAA, CBS Sports, The Athletic), All-Pac-12 Second Team, and Midseason All-America First Team (AP, The Athletic). His performance earned him these accolades and made him a highly sought-after NFL Draft prospect.
- PFSN College QBi Score: 83.4 (B)
- Completions: 363
- Attempts: 555
- Yards: 4,903
- TDs: 36
- INTs: 11
- Rush Attempts: 35
- Rush Yards: 8
- Rush TDs: 3