Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies reacts after beating Utah Utes 35-28, November 11, ... [+]
Atlanta Falcons rookie Michael Penix Jr. looks quietly poised to make another big impact on football—this time in the NFL. I say “quietly poised” for two reasons.
First, at the moment—and it’s only June, and weeks before training camp officially begins—the NFL’s beat writers seemed focused on other quarterbacks. Perhaps not focused, but distracted, is the right word.
One of these other quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers, was a no-show at the New York Jets’ mandatory two-day minicamp this week. Never mind that the 40-year-old, often injured Rodgers is slated to be New York’s starting QB.
The other quarterback trending is Denver Broncos rookie and Bo Nix. Penix beat the ex-Oregon star twice last season, arguably costing him the Heisman Trophy. But Nix is presently wowing the Denver press, as he tussles with veteran Russell Wilson for the Broncos’ top job.
But the other reason Penix may initially slip under NFL fans’ radar is the ex-Washington Husky’s soft-spoken, humble nature.
I spoke to Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, just before June, and in our conversations, there was no note of bravado or gushing about his many achievements. Though Penix is widely credited for taking his team to the brink of an NCAA Division I championship, he said he is now he’s focused on what’s next.
“I’m super-excited about my future,” Penix said during our interview via Zoom on May 30. “The whole pre-draft process surprised me. If felt like a it took long time, but it was worth it. I’m blessed to be where I am at.”
Penix said that since the tough 34-13 loss to Michigan in the National Championship game, everything has been looking up, and that things have accelerated.
“Since the National Championship, it’s been a whirlwind. Everything is back to back to back. First, the (NFL) Combine, then Pro Day, and I was at the Senior Bowl, and there was a lot more.”
Going into Atlanta, Penix will jump into the territory of exciting athletes. Long before Matt Ryan took the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, Dominique Wilkins was dunking, Deion Sanders was grabbing pick-6s, and Atlanta sports fans saw local kids Chipper Jones, a baseball player, and Evander Holyfield, a boxer, reach Hall of Fame heights.
Penix, with his distinctive playing style, doesn’t aim for flashy, highlight-reel plays. Nor is he likely to alter his skillset.
But what is the source of his precise and powerful arm? Or those jaw-dropping pass plays that have the potential to reshape the game?
“It comes from consistency. Doing the work, getting your reps. All our guys at Washington,” Penix said of his wide receivers, “they are down for the work. We just worked and got better at it.” But Penix concedes that in the pros, “That’s how it is going to have to be for me—at this level.”
In joining the Falcons, Penix joins a growing roster of promising young players such as running back Bijan Robinson, a rookie last season, plus other young first-round picks WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts. And with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins listed as “questionable” for the immediate moment, Penix will, like Nix in Denver, have a chance to fight for the starter position.
Huskies: Shocking everyone in 2023
Coming off a 12-2 overall record in 2022 and a tight postseason win over Texas in the Alamo Bowl, college football observers deemed Penix and Washington as a top-10 ranked team but no national contender.
ESPN’s early prognostications put the Huskies at No. 8 in the power rankings after Week 1, way behind then-No. 1 Georgia, the two-time champions. Nor did Washington’s 56-19 first game smash over Boise State move the needle for writers, who still put them behind USC, Penn State and Ohio State, none of whom came close to national title contention.
Related story: J.J. Watt’s legendary sense of humor
Meanwhile, there was that loud and short-lived buzz from the Sanders’ aka Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes beat NCAA runners-up TCU.
At the same time, Heisman Trophy predictors talked up a possible second consecutive award for USC’s Caleb Williams, if not a runaway victory for Oregon’s star QB Bo Nix.
Instead, Penix and the Huskies would dominate the PAC-12’s final season in a slow burn. The Huskies did that by knocking down Tulsa, Michigan State, and the Cal, all by four- to five-touchdown margins.
After a nail-biting 31–24 Week 5 victory at Arizona, the Huskies faced their first major challenge in the form of a College Game Day rivalry match hosting No. 8 Oregon on October 14. In that game, Nix led the Ducks with an impressive 337 passing yards and two touchdowns, only to be outshone by Penix’s own 302 yards passing, and four touchdowns.
November 2022: Washington fans show their support for Penix during a college football game between ... [+]
Washington’s 36-33 win came with 1:38 left, on a tricky 18-yard pass by Penix to wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Thereafter, Washington would roll through their division to win all 12 games. Likewise, the Huskies would beat Nix and Oregon again in the PAC-12 Championship game, 34-31, en route to a 37-31 Sugar Bowl win over Texas and a berth in the NCAA Division I title game versus No. 1 Michigan.
In the mix, the Washington posted their first undefeated season since 1991 under Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer, who also won 2023’s AP Coach of the Year.
“He’s an amazing coach and, obviously, his record speaks for itself and speaks volumes,” Penix said. But Penix explained that DeBoer is no-nonsense and down to earth. “As a person, he’s like you all see him (on TV).”
DeBoer’s two highly successful years at Washington, plus his overall 104–12 head coaching record, made him the immediate target of Alabama, who selected DeBoer as their next head coach on January 12, just two days after Nick Saban announced his retirement.
“Coach (DeBoer) was great to work under. He’s there and supportive of his players.” Regarding DeBoer’s move to Bama, Penix said, “When it happened, it wasn’t something that surprised me.”
Penix, Odunze writing off any doubters
One memorable quote from the Washington Huskies’ march last fall, was from Penix himself, on the topic of being an underdog.
Penix channeled fellow Seattle resident and Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith when he said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, "They tried to write us off, but we ain't write back.”
The comment came after Washington's win over Oregon in the final PAC 12 Championship game, but also after Penix vocalized ample credit to the Huskies players’ “blood, sweat and tears,” and for his offensive line’s efforts “allowing me to have a clean pocket (and) to be able to get the ball to my weapons.”
Michael Penix Jr., left, with one of his main "weapons" wide receiver Rome Odunze, during a game ... [+]
Thus, it seems fitting that one of Penix’s first endorsements as a pro comes from a famed “writing” tool.
In February, Sharpie, the iconic brand known for its permanent markers, launched its “Rookies of the Year” program a first-of-its-kind effort that helps prolific college athletes and prospective professional draftees “leave their mark” as they transition into the next phase of their careers.
“It’s a cool campaign,” Penix said. “As an athlete, you are always using Sharpies. Whether you’re a fan and you wanted an autograph, or whether you are giving them. For me, now, I have been able to be on both sides of it.”
To kick off the program, Sharpie has tapped both Washington standouts, Penix and Odunze, to become the official writing products of their NFL rookie seasons.
Odunze was selected as the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, with Penix going to Atlanta one pick before Odunze.
According to Sharpie, Penix and Odunze will use Sharpie products exclusively, whether penning autographs for young fans or signing game balls and other memorabilia.
Penix and Odunze were also slated to sign their first professional contracts as NFL players with custom-made Sharpie S-Gels, which feature their own signatures engraved down the barrel of the pen.
According to Sharpie, the “Rookies of the Year” program is the brand’s first foray into major sports partnerships and will be its first NIL-related campaign.
As a part of the partnership, Penix also participated in the “Sharpie Signature Combine,” signing fan autographs while running the speed ladder, cycling and doing other drills that are part of a pro athlete’s rigorous conditioning.
When it comes to connecting with fans, Penix said, “The fans are amazing in Seattle. They show a lot of love and support, not just to me and the team, but to the whole city. Seattle is a great city to be in.”
Read Frye’s interviews with Bijan Robinson and J.J. Watt.
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