Kalen DeBoer raves about the growth, development of Washington QB Michael Penix Jr

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been starting games at the Power Five level for five years now, first at Indiana and now for the Huskies. But while he has been a starting-caliber player for a half-decade, Penix has never stopped improving along the way despite injuries and other challenges he has faced.

It has culminated in this sixth-year season where he has emerged as one of the best players in the country and a Heisman contender.

Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer hopped on Friday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show and told McAfee about the growth he has watched from Penix over the years.

“I think he’s just continued to grow,” DeBoer said. “The adversity that’s come his way, he’s just taken it on and understanding that I can control what I can control and that’s what I’m gonna focus on — and here you are. I think each and every day, you can see pieces of his past and how he’s responded continue to come out. That includes on game day, when things maybe aren’t going your way as a team. Him rising to the occasion and making the most of the moment. Playing in the present.”

Penix is currently second in FBS football in passing yards to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with 1,999 yards. Sanders had 2,020. However, Sanders has played in one more game than Penix.

In fact, Penix is the lone player in the top 20 of the passing yards leaders list to have played in only five games this season. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye has the second-highest total on the leaderboard at No. 22.

Penix is also tied for third in the country in touchdown passes with 16. Only USC quarterback Caleb Williams and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels have more this season.

“He you can throw it short, long,” DeBoer said. “He’s very heady. He’s mobile. Great athlete. He’s seen all the defenses you can imagine over six years so he understands the game and he’s got the tools and the skill set to go with it.”

Penix and the Huskies have their biggest matchup of the season so far this weekend as they host a fellow top-10 team and Pac-12 rival in Oregon.

The game is a major opportunity for the southpaw quarterback to have a Heisman moment and for Washington to notch a major win for its College Football Playoff resume.