Next up in our scouting report series is Michael Penix Jr. Penix was one of the most electric players in all of college football last year, and he led his team all the way to the National Championship game, all while being a Heisman contender. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Michael Penix’s Strenghts
Penix is a fun watch. He has an unusual throwing motion, but it doesn’t seem to bother him as he still gets the ball out pretty quickly and is extremely accurate. His arm is sensational, and its arguably one of the best in the draft. Penix can throw to all areas of the field on a frozen rope. His arm is strong and he seemed to have a great sense of timing, as well. Having some of the best receivers in the nation helps, but it’s hard to ignore his raw arm talent. To put it simply, there isn’t a throw he can’t make.
Mentally, Penix is excellent, as well. He reads defenses pretty well, and seems to know exactly where to attack common cover-two and -three schemes, even when the defense disguised the coverage pre-snap. Penix doesn’t take any plays off either, and does the little things like selling fake handoffs routinely. Penix is tough both physically and mentally, playing through obvious pain in the National Championship Game. Mentally, it’s extremely hard to shake him of his confidence.
Michael Penix’s Weaknesses
While Penix has an incredible arm and puts zip on the ball, there were times I noticed he could have used a little more touch. This isn’t a big issue, but it will be much more important at the NFL level. Penix also has the tendency to sit still in the pocket, and because of that it’s decently easy for pass rushers to get their hand up to block a pass.
Also, while his arm makes up for his unique throwing motion, his lower body mechanics are a bit of a mess. While he still does throw accurately, his lower body mechanics involve a lack of movement in the pocket. This can result in clogged throwing lanes and blocked passes
Finally, his health must be mentioned. He suffered some injuries to end the year, including some in the National Championship Game. It’s been reported that he’ll be healthy by next season, but it’s hard to ignore the injury risks based on his past.
NFL Draft Grade and Player Comparison
The scouting report on Michael Penix clearly shows he isn’t in the upper echelon of quarterbacks in this draft class. That said, it would be hard not to be excited if your favorite team drafted him. Penix grades as a late-first to early-second round pick for me.
Player comparison: Floor: Jacoby Brissett, Ceiling: Matthew Stafford
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