Washington and Michigan will play in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finished second in Heisman Memorial Trophy voting in 2023. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound signal-caller won the 2023 Maxwell Award Winner, presented to the best player in college football.
Penix Jr. committed to Tennessee and head coach Butch Jones in April 2017. Jones was relieved of his duties as the Vols’ head coach on Nov. 12, 2017 by Tennessee athletics director John Currie.
Former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer was hired to replace Currie as athletics director on Dec. 1, 2017. Fulmer hired Jeremy Pruitt as the Vols’ next head coach six days later.
Penix Jr. decommitted from Tennessee six days after Fulmer hired Pruitt.
“I would like to thank the previous coaches at the University of Tennessee and the fans for believing in me,” Penix Jr. said. “But after conversations with the new staff it seems that’s not the place that I’m being wanted. So, at this time I announce that I have decommitted from the University of Tennessee and will re-open my recruitment. I’m still signing December 20th to the college that was really meant for me!!!! Thank you!!”
Below is a timeline of Penix Jr. being offered a scholarship from the Vols, to signing with Indiana and transferring to Washington.