Greg McElroy explains what makes Michael Penix Jr. a complete player

Michael Penix Jr. exploded last season at Washington after spending the first few years of his college career at Indiana. Now, with what he showed off in 2022, his skill and development could lead to some very big things this fall for the Huskies according to Greg McElroy.

McElroy named Penix Jr. as the second best quarterback in the Pac-12 in an episode of ‘Always College Football’ last week. He pointed to his numbers from a season ago and excused some of the shortcomings in his game considering what all he brings to the table.

“You look at what he did last year? Now think about leading the nation in passing as long as he did? The productivity. 4,600 yards, 31 touchdowns,” McElroy said. “I mean all the numbers are off the charts.”

“He has huge arm talent. On occasion, is there a big miss? Yeah. There’s a big miss in there every once in a while. On occasion, is there a bad decision? Sure. To be expected,” continued McElroy. “But you kinda complete the player with his mobility, you complete the player with his downfield accuracy. His arm strength is off the charts good as well.”

Penix Jr. threw for the second most passing yards in the country last season with 4,641. That finished only behind WKU’s Austin Reed. It was also over 400 yards more than what he threw over four seasons in Bloomington. Add in 31 touchdowns and he was easily one of the nation’s best passers last fall.

Still, McElroy believes that, under the guidance of the coaching staff at Washington, Penix Jr. can be even better in his sixth collegiate seaon.

“I do think another year in the system is only going to allow him to grow even more. Ryan Grubb as OC, Kalen Deboer as head coach. These are two unbelievable football minds,” McElroy said. “I know looking at how, likely, he is going to progress this spring? There are few coaches in college football that are better equipped to get him where he wants to go here in what should be his final year in Seattle.”

Penix Jr.’s production helped the Huskies be one of the country’s hottest teams as they went 11-2 in 2022 and closed on a seven game winning streak. With him back leading their offense that finished Top-10 a season ago, McElroy thinks he could end up bringing them to the brink of national contention before it’s all said and done.

“I think Michael Penix is poised for a massive season,” said McElroy. “It’s a big reason why I think Washington is a sleeper dark-horse in the College Football Playoff race.”