It appears the NFL is starting to realize what Washington Huskies fans have been saying throughout the 2023 season and NFL draft cycle, Michael Penix Jr. is one of the best quarterbacks in the class.
His performance at Washington’s pro day on March 28 was nothing short of spectacular. Penix opted to focus on throwing in front of scouts at the NFL combine in Indianapolis and waited until when the NFL descended on Montlake to display his athleticism.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Penix had dinner with the New York Giants head coach Brian Dabol and general manager Joe Schoen in Seattle after his pro day.
He also had a private workout with the Minnesota Vikings in Seattle. Schultz also reported that Penix has a top 30 visit scheduled with a handful of teams who are greatly in need of a quarterback and all picking inside the top half of the first round, including the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Washington Commanders.
Things are heating up for Washington QB Michael Penix Jr: Sources say he had dinner with the #Giants in Seattle after his Pro Day, followed by a private workout with the #Vikings in Seattle.
Penix will have top 30s with the #Broncos, #Falcons, #Raiders and #Commanders, per… pic.twitter.com/b4ef1exDYz
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 1, 2024
After leading the nation in passing yards in 2023, Penix posted numbers that would have put him at the top of every quarterback test at the combine. His 40-yard dash was clocked anywhere from 4.46 to 4.59, an impressive time which would place him among the top five fastest quarterbacks in the NFL.
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
He also posted a 10-foot-6 broad jump and a 36.5 inch vertical jump. Between those numbers from tests designed to test an athlete’s explosion, and the fact that he got a clean bill of health at the combine, he should have put any questions about his durability to rest.
Finally, Penix put on a stellar throwing demonstration, completing 57 of his 60 scripted throws to display his top-tier arm talent.
A thread of some more Michael Penix Jr. throws from today’s Pro Day at Washington.
➡️ Ja’Lynn Polk pic.twitter.com/Prb0blV3At
— Nick Lemkau (@nicklemkaucfb) March 28, 2024
With everything Penix has done to help raise his draft stock from the Senior Bowl, to the combine and his pro day, it appears he has become close to a lock to hearing his name called in the first round when the draft begins in Detroit on April 25.