Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a C.J. Stroud-like performance in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, boosting his draft stock and sending Washington to the national championship. When Penix starts preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft, however, some things from his past could prove costly.
Penix, who turns 2024 in May, will be the oldest of the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft. He’s also left-handed, with many around the NFL familiar with the limited recent success of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL.
- Michael Penix Jr stats 2023: 4,648 passing yards, 35-9 TD-INT, 85.7 ESPN QBR, 66.7% completion
However, being left-handed and turning 24 years old before he practices with his NFL team aren’t the reasons for questions surrounding Penix’s draft stock. Instead, scouts and executives are fearful of his medical history and it will impact his draft stock.
On the Yahoo Sports’ Zero Blitz podcast, NFL insider Charles Robinson shared that there are already some around the NFL who will not have Penix Jr. on their 2024 NFL Draft board because of his medical history. A lack of durability is also the reason why he’s only in the conversation for QB4 this draft cycle.
“I think with Penix, to be fair a lot of it has to do with the injury history. We’re talking four season-ending injuries in a row, not inconsequential injuries. AC joint, two ACLs. I’ve had a couple of guys tell me he won’t even be on our board. That medical’s going to be so bad that we’re going to subboard, him and the only way we’d touch him is when there’s no risk.”
Charles Robinson on Washington Huskies quarteback Michael Penix Jr.
- Michael Penjix Jr college stats: 13,486 passing yards, 95 passing touchdowns, 13 rushing touchdowns
Related: 2024 NFL Draft order, picks by team
The All-American quarterback does have a length injury history. With the Indiana Hoosiers, he suffered a torn ACL as a true freshman in 2018 then experienced another ACL tear in November 2020. He also missed time in 2021 after suffering an AC joint separation in his throwing shoulder.
NFL teams don’t question Penix’s leadership, toughness, football IQ, production, or physical skills. All of those traits are why he’ll still be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the team that picks him will be taking a medical risk and that’s why other more risk-averse clubs will have him off their board.
