Washington names Michael Penix starting QB: Indiana transfer to lead Huskies in Kalen DeBoer’s first year

Washington has named redshirt junior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. beginning quarterback for the opener towards Kent State on Sept. 3. Penix transferred from Indiana after 4 years with this system and has as much as two years of eligibility remaining. 

Penix accomplished 59.4% of his passes for 4,197 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions throughout a powerful however injury-riddled profession for the Hoosiers. He notably led Indiana to a 6-2 file and No. 12 end within the postseason AP Prime 25 in the course of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. 

Nonetheless, Penix has additionally handled accidents over his profession. He performed simply 5 video games after struggling a shoulder damage in 2021, and in addition had season-ending accidents in each 2020 and 2019. 

Penix emerged from a crowded quarterback competitors towards sophomore Dylan Morris and redshirt freshman Sam Huard. Each returners have been blue-chip recruits, however Penix’s expertise and familiarity with coach Kalen DeBoer’s system gave him a leg up within the competitors. Morris accomplished 60.6% of passes for two,458 yards passing because the starter in 2021, however threw 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions throughout a depressing 4-8 season. 

Listed here are key takeaways from DeBoer’s determination to call Penix the beginning quarterback. 

An ideal recent begin

Penix grew to become a nationwide title throughout his stellar 2020 season, however Indiana’s profitable run shortly crumbled after a 2-10 marketing campaign in 2021. When DeBoer obtained the job at Washington after a profitable stint at Fresno State, Penix was an apparent match to assist proper the ship. 

“Systematically, he understands what we do,” DeBoer stated of Penix. “That was a straightforward transition for him throughout spring ball. You see him having the ability to coach guys up and being slightly extra assured in that.” 

DeBoer was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Indiana in 2019, when Penix had maybe his greatest season as a passer. Penix accomplished 68.8% of his passes for 1,394 yards passing, 10 touchdowns and eight.7 yards per move try in six video games, much better than Penix’s profession effectivity numbers. Making the choice even simpler, Penix’s different OC — Nick Sheridan — joined the Huskies as an offensive assistant. 

Familiarity and match is an enormous benefit for any quarterback. Mixing Penix, Sheridan and DeBoer ought to shortly ship outcomes. 

Fixing the offense

Former coach Jimmy Lake employed ex-James Franklin assistant John Donovan to run the offense, and the outcomes have been notably poor. Regardless of fielding a comparatively strong protection, the Huskies ranked an embarrassingly low No. 107 in scoring offense. The mark locations Washington in the identical class as packages like Kansas, Illinois and Rutgers offensively. 

That stated, there’s loads of expertise to be discovered. Offensive lineman Jaxson Kirkland and receiver Jalen McMillan earned All-Pac 12 nods. Giles Jackson is a star returner with receiver potential in a better-formed offense. Penix may very well be the man to drag all of it collectively. 

DeBoer’s offense at Fresno State averaged greater than 33 factors per sport. The Bulldogs scored a mixed 64 factors towards Oregon and UCLA, two of the Pac-12’s greatest groups. If the offense can transfer ahead with out dropping an excessive amount of defensively, the upside for Washington is there. 

Lengthy-term optimism

Whereas the upperclassman Penix will begin, DeBoer ought to be ok with the state of his quarterback room. Penix has one other 12 months of eligibility remaining due to the NCAA-granted blanket 12 months of eligibility after the Covid season, and Penix ought to take into account returning if he can keep wholesome. 

Nonetheless, each Morris and Huard have a strong mixture of expertise, pedigree and expertise that ought to excite DeBoer if he can preserve them on campus. Huard particularly was the No. 12 total participant and No. 3 quarterback within the 247Sports Composite. The one passers to rank forward of Huard within the Top247 have been Quinn Ewers and Caleb Williams. 

DeBoer has fairly the historical past of creating passers throughout his time within the FBS ranks — Brogan Roback, Marcus McMaryion, Penix and Jake Haener all had their greatest seasons underneath DeBoer’s watch. Optimistically, DeBoer can get the very best out of Huard and Morris as effectively when their time comes. And with Penix’s damage historical past, it’d come quickly.