Shooting Star? Michael Penix Jr., QB, University of Washington

First Round Mock’s William Yanish is not sold at all on one of the media’s most over-hyped quarterback (QB) prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, Michael Penix Jr.

So many times, I’ve been yelling at the television screen, wondering why the prospect wouldn’t be watching his own film doing the same thing.

Perspective is a funny thing.

Everyone sees things differently when it comes down to it. I am convinced that to get a true bead on a player, you need multiple points of view.

Background

One of the most popular names at the most important position in football is Penix. This Indiana transfer checks in at 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds and he has a decent build for the position.

This kid is athletic as hell. I don’t understand why he doesn’t run more. It would be a better option than the spray-and-pray passes all over the field. He can drop dimes, but not too often.

The problem is, Penix is petrified of the pass rush.

The game that would say everything was in 2021 when Penix played for Indiana and they were taking on Iowa.

Final stats: 14 of 31 completed for 156 yards, 0 TDs, and 3 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns). The pass rush had exposed him. Game over.

The Yanish Report

Tall, athletic southpaw. Long, stretched release. Accuracy suffers at all three levels (short, and deep), especially when chased. Misses high frequently. Ball placement is all over the map. Laser-like spirals through the air. Will sell out receivers. Can drop dimes, usually on wide-open targets, though. Not much for touch on his passes. Average Arm strength. Erratic like the Shooting Star BB-gun carnival game. 😉 Rarely steps into throws. Unorthodox throwing mechanics. Relies on waist-twisting movement and arm to launch passes. Has mobility, if he chooses to use it. Happy feet. Gets rattled under pressure. Gives up on plays when rushers converge. Follows through selling play-action. Anything off-platform is messy. Overall body mechanics are choppy. Progressions are inconsistent. Will lock on to targets. Hits first read often. Does keep eyes downfield. Good hard count that will draw defenders offsides. Football IQ doesn’t stand out. Looks lost at times. Major injury risk.

For the win

Sitting here watching film and understanding what you’re seeing can be difficult. I am here as the translator deluxe. Let me tell you, it’s not so much a job, as it is a lifestyle.

I have one thing to do when it comes to being a Draft Analyst. That thing is to paint a picture in your head of what I see and explain how it translates to the NFL.

What Penix displays on the gridiron just isn’t enough. I don’t know if it’s from the pain of old injuries, or because he is fearful of new ones. He was never on the field for an entire season at Indiana during four seasons there.

Aches and pains, bumps and bruises add up. I know. I should have a doctorate in the field. In the end, I just don’t think that a team can risk much on him.

The bottom line is that 2023 will be his sixth season of college football. I have never judged a player by their injuries. However, when it starts to affect the way they play the game, it becomes a problem.

My BIG three questions

1. Can Penix stay healthy through another season at Washington?

2. Will he show improvement from his 2022 breakout year?

3. Can he clean up his unconventional mechanics?

How Penix stacks up and game film reviewed

My 2024 NFL Draft Value: Seventh-Round

Game Film Evidence

2021 Indiana (Jersey No. 9)

Penn State

Iowa

2022 University of Washington (Jersey No. 9)

Stanford

Michigan State

Oregon

UCLA

William Yanish III is a lifelong football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.