Senior Bowl's Jim Nagy: NFL scouts watching how Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. perform 'under duress'
As Oregon and Washington square off in a high-stakes rivalry game on Saturday, the eyes are on the quarterbacks. Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix are two favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, which makes the top-10 matchup even more intriguing.
Both quarterbacks have put up huge numbers to start the season. Penix leads the nation in passing yards and Nix has the highest completion percentage in the country through six games.
There are plenty of NFL scouts in attendance at Huskie Stadium for Saturday’s game, and Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy said they’re watching how the two quarterbacks play under pressure.
“This Oregon/UW game is huge for both Bo Nix & Michael Penix Jr.,” Nagy said. “#NFL evaluators need to see how both guys operate under duress. NFL is all about chaos—muddy pockets+tight windows. Both guys have games this year where there’s not single throw scouts care about—easy pitch & catch.”
Penix drew first blood when he found Giles Jackson for a 26-yard touchdown to put Washington out in front 7-0 after the Huskies’ first drive.
Heading into Week 7, the Heisman hype was building around both quarterbacks. Penix unseated Caleb Williams once again to become the favorite to win the award, according to BetMGM. Nix was in the top four odds, as well.
The NFL Draft hype has also been building around the two quarterbacks. Nix has been moving up the boards so far this season, according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, and he could find himself in the first-round conversation.
“As far as my risers, I’m going to go with two Oregon guys. I think we have to mention Bo Nix at Oregon,” Reid said. “Just because I think a lot of people think of Bo Nix and who he was at Auburn. But this is a completely different player now.”
Penix also came in at No. 6 in Reid’s rankings of the top 14 draft-eligible quarterbacks, and Matt Miller pinpointed the things that stand out about his game.
“I think this is a great raking from Michael Penix Jr. to have him at six. He’s almost the start of that next tier for me,” Miller said. “Watching him play sometimes, you’re watching him in the pocket, it’s kind of this leaner body, left-handed guy with this long delivery. And you’re like, this is not gonna work. But it works.
“I mean, he’s a playmaker. And his deep ball is a thing of beauty. You mentioned his receivers, (Jalen) McMillan and (Rome) Odunze. They’re fantastic. They really are. But sometimes the placement that he puts on passes is beautiful as well.”