Loose Cannon: Huskies’ QB Michael Penix Jr.

The NFL Draft Community continues to put first-round grades on Washington Huskies’ quarterback (QB) Michael Penix Jr.

However, not me. Not by a long shot.

I’ve never seen it with Penix. I didn’t see it when he was an erratic injury-plagued QB at Indiana, and I sure haven’t seen it in nine games in 2022.

If there was one word I would use to describe Penix it’s “inconsistent.”

There is just nothing about his skill set that excites me – – and nothing I see in his game that translates to a winning record in the National Football League.

No upside.

Erratic

I don’t look at highlights and I don’t sing with the choir on these prospects. I look at the full body of work – – as much of it as I can get on tape when it comes to QBs.

Penix was erratic in Indiana and he looks erratic in Washington.

It doesn’t matter if he’s throwing short, intermediate, or deep, some throws were right on target, but too many were not.

Watching Penix throw a football is like watching someone wearing a blindfold at a shooting range while firing a handgun.

His aim is undependable, especially further downfield. If you don’t believe me watch all the dying ducks he threw deep against Washington State or the six pass break-ups (PBUs) against Oregon State.

Did someone say PBUs?

Penix isn’t just erratic, he’s dangerously erratic.

What do I mean by that?

In 9 games evaluated from last season, defenders broke up 32 passes (3.56 per game average), which is the highest per game average of the 28 QBs I’ve evaluated in this upcoming draft class.

Average arm strength and inconsistent mechanics

Receivers had to wait on passes outside the numbers and he put too much air under his deep throws.

He’s best in the short range and when he makes quick throwing decisions (which isn’t often). More regularly, he locks in with receivers and then has this big elongated throwing motion.

This alone will spell disaster in the NFL.

We can’t forget Indiana

It’s important to factor in Penix’s four-year career at Indiana for two reasons:

1. Inconsistent previous production

2. Severe injury problems all four seasons there (including tearing his right ACL twice and a separated throwing shoulder). In fact, he never played in more than six games in any season there according to the San Diego Tribune.

He had a past – – a very injury-plagued past at Indiana before transferring which must factor into his NFL projection. His previous injuries could be causing issues with his throwing mechanics and velocity.

#9 Michael Penix Jr. 6-foot-3, 214 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: Sixth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 58.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of July 10, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Previous article (2021: 3 games evaluated) Former NFL Scout Warns League About QB Michael Penix Jr.

Previous article (2022: 5 games evaluated) What They’re Not Telling You About Michael Penix Jr.

Additional 2022 game film reviewed: Oregon State, Kent State, Washington State, and CAL (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 362/554 (65.3%), 4641 yards, 31 TD, 8 INT, 5 sacks, long-84

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

An average arm-strength athletic southpaw with downfield ball placement and ball security issues. Leads with an uneven tempo that’s not conducive to timing. Inconsistent progressions and release time. Long developing throwing motion stationary in the pocket. Average football IQ. Can look like he’s guessing where to throw. Opportunistic finding wide-open receivers. Doesn’t always set his feet or release from a wide enough base and torques his upper body too much which causes placement issues. Inconsistent accuracy throwing outside the pocket. Best moving around in the pocket which creates longer developing routes and larger throwing windows downfield. Short passes aren’t automatic. Hit and miss intermediate. Deep ball leaves a lot to be desired. Doesn’t always throw the easiest ball to catch overall. Not a big dual-threat type (35 carries last season for 92 yards). No elite traits.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season:

1. Ball placement?

2. Ball security?

3. Hesitating and locking in from the pocket?

4. Injury-free?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.