Joel Klatt downplays injury concerns around Michael Penix Jr.

The 2024 NFL Draft is a quarterback-heavy one. However, all quarterbacks come with concerns. That includes Washington Huskies‘ star Michael Penix Jr.

One of the major concerns for Penix in the draft is his long history of injuries that he suffered during his time at Indiana before he transferred to Washington. However, those are worries that analyst Joel Klatt recently downplayed.

“Michael Penix Jr. I’ve been a fan of him for a long time before he even got to Washington,” Joel Klatt said. “Everybody wants to take shots at Michael Penix because of his injury history, and I get it. It’s there. He had a hard time staying on the field at Indiana. I get it.”

While at Indiana, Penix suffered two torn ACLs that cut two different seasons short. He had two other seasons ended by injuries to his non-throwing shoulder.

However, since getting to Washington, Michael Penix hasn’t just been phenomenal on the field. He’s also managed to stay healthy during that time.

“He just stayed on the field two years in a row at Washington and there was nobody in college football that threw the ball better than he did down the field. It was uncanny. His ability to throw with leverage down the field and really pass with leverage and at length…But Michael Penix Jr. and, again, the fit with these quarterbacks makes all the difference in the world. Bo Nix. If he’s in with Sean Payton, guy can succeed,” Klatt said.

“Michael Penix, I cannot get Miami out of my head. I get it. It’s probably not gonna happen, but whatever. I think Penix would fit perfect in that offense.”

In the end, Penix played in 49 games, of which, 28 came in his two seasons at Washington and 21 came in his four seasons at Indiana. He finished his college career with 13,741 passing yards and 96 passing touchdowns.

Jim Nagy emphasized the importance of medicals for Michael Penix Jr.

As the NFL Draft rapidly approaches, Reese’s Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy has emphasized the importance of the medical evaluations for Michael Penix Jr.

“I think with Michael, the medical is going to be big — as as everyone has said,” Nagy said.

“Usually, the medical stuff doesn’t get out to the media, into the fan bases. Michael Penix’s injury stuff has — I think everyone’s kind of just leaned on that as an excuse to hedge their bets on where Michael Penix is gonna get drafted. I hope [his physical evaluation] comes out clean and [hope] everyone’s going to stick to a real tape evaluation on the guy.”