The Washington Huskies pro day was attended by over 100 NFL personnel from 30 teams on Thursday morning in Seattle. It should be no surprise that one of the Huskies put on a show for those in attendance. While projected top 10 pick Rome Odunze opted to not work out at Dempsey Indoor Center, Michael Penix Jr. showed up, and he showed up big.
Washington’s star quarterback and runner up for the 2023 Heisman Trophy displayed his arm strength during the on field drills, but went viral for his performance during the athletic testing after opting not to participate in those drills at the NFL combine.
While his impressive performance came as a shock to some fans, it wasn’t a shock to Penix himself, who posted this on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday night before his workout.
Just cause I don’t have to run don’t mean I can’t run and I’m not athletic 🥱 the real ones know lol😁
— Mike Penix Jr. (@themikepenix) March 27, 2024
And run he did as Huskies Wire had him at a 4.46 unofficial time for his 40-yard dash.
We had Penix at 4.46 hand timed. Even 0.2 lower that’s an incredible time! pic.twitter.com/QoUP01PKws
— Ben Glassmire (@BenGlassmireNFL) March 28, 2024
And just to add to his impressive display of athleticism, he showed off his hops with a 36.5 inch vertical.
Michael Penix with a 36.5” vert at the UW Pro Day pic.twitter.com/zQg6ckket7
— Evan Feather (@evanfeather42) March 28, 2024
The official Twitter NFL account even got in on the fun as Penix showed off his arm strength.
Mike Penix, Jr. showed off the arm strength & elite ball placement here 😤@themikepenix | @UW_Football
(via @OmarDRuiz) pic.twitter.com/e2bdVLinOQ
— NFL (@NFL) March 28, 2024
It appears that he did exactly what he said he was going to do and insiders like Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz said he will hear his name called on the first night of the 2024 NFL draft.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: An #NFL coach told @Schultz_Report that Michael Penix Jr has locked himself in as a first round pick after his impressive pro day.
“Freak show! Dude runs 4.5 and then jumps 37 inches. Arm strength is crazy in person. Locked in 1st rounder.” pic.twitter.com/RovVohkDoC
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 28, 2024
And as Rome Odunze said… he is like that.
MPJ is “like that” 🗣️📈@themikepenix @RomeOdunze 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/5Kaz3NAwyX
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) March 28, 2024