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There is no shortage of intriguing quarterback prospects for the 2024 NFL draft with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy, among others, standing out as potential first-round picks, and Michael Penix Jr. had the opportunity to bolster his stock during Washington’s pro day on Thursday.
The signal-caller quickly turned heads with his 40-yard dash time and vertical jump. Albert Breer of The MMQB noted he was timed at 4.53 seconds on one scout’s watch and 4.56 seconds on another scout’s watch.
NFL @NFL
That’s a 36.5″ vert for @UW_Football QB @themikepenix 😳 pic.twitter.com/O3JP79A4Uy
That type of speed and athleticism stands out considering Penix was never much of a scrambler during his collegiate career at Indiana and Washington. He tallied 134 rushing attempts at two yards per carry over five years and 49 games.
Naturally, there was plenty of reaction from social media to his performance:
Brock Huard @BrockHuard
So Penix runs sub 4.5 forty & jumps out of the gym @UW_Football pro day
Stock keeps climbing
Good for him. He knows how to put on a show 🍿 🍿 pic.twitter.com/LQsjKX6KkN
Kevin Lapka @kevcharles112
Michael Penix Jr. will make an NFL team VERY happy
I think he ends up being a top 3 QB in the class
pic.twitter.com/exIWhAuf4p
Marcus Johnson @TheMarcJohnNFL
People assume you can’t move if you don’t leave the pocket. Wasn’t thinking 4.4 but you can always tell Penix could move.
Alex Barth @RealAlexBarth
Great 40 time for Michael Penix.
Another reminder – he’s not immobile. The tool is in his toolbox, he just doesn’t use it often https://t.co/n2NN1flctO
Kyle Dvorchak @kyletweetshere
Penix essentially never ran at Washington but elite athleticism should at a minimum give teams confidence that his historic sack avoidance will translate well to the NFL. https://t.co/aYf85asL81
The 33rd Team @The33rdTeamFB
Michael Penix Jr. is, in fact, athletic 😅 https://t.co/c8tREQLTRP pic.twitter.com/4hC7KfTeYN
Heated Giants @miagiants
Michael Penix Jr is the best pocket passer in the draft and he just ran a 4.46 40 yard dash
If he stays as healthy as he’s been the last 2 years, he’s going to be a star pic.twitter.com/FMyUqy721c
Josh Larky @jlarkytweets
Michael Penix had 2 ACL tears and barely scrambled in college, but is apparently as fast as Jalen Hurts?! https://t.co/KTSoABh8RR
𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧 @CameronParkerPO
You’d never know about Penix’s two injuries with that 40 time and a 36.5 inch vert. https://t.co/9Lu7a0aPMm
Hayden Winks @HaydenWinks
That’s fast for a prospect that basically never ran at Washington. Somewhat meaningful pro day for Penix. https://t.co/zoPMC3FFyY
There were also plenty of teams there to see Penix, as Omar Ruiz of NFL Network noted more than 100 NFL scouts and talent evaluators representing all 32 teams were in attendance. Those in attendance also included Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, as well as New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll.
Such a performance in the 40-yard dash surely didn’t come as a surprise to Penix himself, as he told ESPN’s Molly McGrath, “I ain’t no bum. I want to show off my athleticism and prove that I can run when I need to.”
Penix was largely a thrower in college and led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game as a Heisman Trophy finalist last season. He completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
That arm was also on display:
Omar Ruiz @OmarDRuiz
The signature Michael Penix downfield accuracy on display at his Pro Day pic.twitter.com/oF0vIw6vAk
Omar Ruiz @OmarDRuiz
UW QB Michael Penix Jr. begins his throwing workout, hits Ja’Lynn Polk on the out route. Fellow WR Rome Odunze, a presumptive top 10 pick, is not working out today. pic.twitter.com/NBPAkKlCR3
There are some concerns with Penix, as he is older than most prospects and will turn 24 years old in May. He also dealt with some injury concerns when he was at Indiana, although he certainly looked healthy and quick during Thursday’s pro day.
Still, production was not a question.
B/R’s NFL Scouting Department projected him as the No. 44 overall pick in its latest mock draft earlier this month, which was behind Williams (No. 1), Maye (No. 2), Daniels (No. 3), McCarthy (No. 8) and Bo Nix (No. 42).
Perhaps Thursday’s showing will improve that outlook.
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