Michael Penix Jr.'s draft stock slips with dud against Michigan

The national title game marked the final chance for Michael Penix Jr. to leave a lasting impression on scouts and fans alike before the 2024 NFL Draft. That memory proved to be unflattering. Penix struggled against Michigans swarming secondary in Washingtons 34-13 loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff championship game.

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The national title game marked the final chance for Michael Penix Jr. to leave a lasting impression on scouts and fans alike before the 2024 NFL Draft.

That memory proved to be unflattering.

Penix struggled against Michigan’s swarming secondary in Washington’s 34-13 loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff championship game.

The southpaw quarterback completed 27-of-51 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown, along with two interceptions.

“For Michael Penix, it’s one game,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Tuesday. “Do you throw it out? I guess you can. Are some people gonna say, ‘Hey, this defines what he was in terms of where they thought he should be.’ If you thought he should be higher, you got to move him back a bit.

“How do you react to this one performance of Michael Penix Jr.? … I’m probably going to move him down just a bit.”

Michael Penix Jr. struggled vs. Michigan. Getty Images

The upcoming draft has three top-tier quarterback prospects in USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, while Penix and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy are considered in the next tier of signal callers.

The Post’s Steve Serby had Penix going to the Raiders with the 13th pick in his mock that posted Monday before the national title contest.

Penix posted robust numbers this past season, throwing for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns while finishing second in the Heisman race.

However, he will be 24 next year and has struggled with injuries in his career.

He did not play in more than seven games in each of his first four seasons with Indiana, although he appeared in 28 games over two years with Washington.

ESPN Draft analyst Mel Kiper. AP

Those factors work against him.

How he performed in these games also can influence public opinion.

When Penix dominated Texas, Kiper said he looked like a top-five pick. But against Michigan, Kiper felt he played like a mid-round pick.

“He was like a pitcher … who didn’t have his good stuff,” Kiper said of Penix’s showing Monday. “Didn’t certainly bring anywhere close to an A-game, airmailing some throws.”

Michael Penix Jr. finished second in the Heisman voting. AP

Kiper said he would project Penix to be drafted in the mid-to-late first round, although he knows some may have Penix going in the second round. 

Said Kiper: “We’re going to be all over the place in terms of opinion and varying round projections overall for where Michael Penix Jr will be come April.”

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