- NCAAF. Olivia Carter, faced with challenge of consoling Michael Penix Jr. after losing final: Who is she?
- NCAAF. Jim Harbaugh begs for more time before discussing NFL future: which teams want him?
Michael Penix Jr. had a storybook 2023 season, leading the Washington Huskies to their first true National Championship appearance. But on Monday night against mighty Michigan, Penix and the Huskies fell flat and lost 34-13.
Michigan's defensive line was relentless, not allowing Penix to ever be comfortable in the pocket and deliver dimes like he had all season. While one game shouldn't change a player's whole outlook, we've already begun seeing Penix's draft stock take a hit in the wake of his performance.
Michael Penix Jr's draft stock falls
Coming into the game, Penix's name was being floated as high as the top three for the 2024 NFL Draft. Two impressive statistical seasons since transferring to Washington after an injury-plagued spell at Indiana saw the quarterback's stock rise sharply since 2022.
Now, many are wondering if he will even be selected in the first round.
USC's Caleb Williams, UNC's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels are all regarded as higher-potential draft prospects, with Daniels gaining a lot of steam since winning the Heisman Trophy a month ago.
Williams and Maye have been almost locked in as the top two picks in the draft for quite a while, and now it appears that Daniels will edge out Penix to be the third quarterback taken. Those three could very well be the first three picks, with the Bears, Commanders and Patriots all looking likely to take chances on a new signal-caller.
Plenty of other teams in the first round could use a quarterback, but Penix will have competition from Heisman finalist Bo Nix and possibly Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, who was efficient in the College Football Playoff semifinals and not asked to do much in the Championship.
Getting a fifth-year option on a rookie quarterback is imperative, so Penix could very well still go in the first round. Despite that, a talented draft class at the position, Penix's age and his injury history could work against him in April.