Is Michael Penix Jr. A 1st-Round NFL Draft Pick?

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was outstanding throughout Monday's 37-31 Sugar Bowl victory over Texas. Penix Jr. helped his Huskies advance to their first CFP National Championship appearance, setting up a title game with Michigan. Monday's legendary performance ensured that Penix Jr. will be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Penix Jr. completed 29-of-38 passing attempts for 430 yards and two touchdowns. Penix Jr. was consistently accurate while creating explosive passing play after explosive passing play. The Longhorns' secondary had no answer for Penix Jr.'s big-play ability.

Penix Jr. made several resume-defining throws that will be combed through by NFL scouts this Spring. He started his evening hot and never looked back. On Washington's very first possession, Penix Jr. delivered a gorgeous deep ball on a post-corner route to Huskies receiver Ja'Lynn Polk for a gain of 77 yards to Texas' 2-yard line. Running back Dillon Johnson scored on the very next play.

Penix Jr. threw the football with a ton of confidence throughout the evening. Later in the first quarter, he stared down pressure in his face while delivering a one-on-one ball to Germie Bernard. Penix Jr. believes in giving his receivers a chance, and Bernard hauled in a 29-yard catch that advanced Washington's offense to the 50-yard line. The drive ended with another Johnson touchdown run.

This throw may have been Penix Jr.'s most pro-ready rep that will impress scouts. Not a particularly mobile quarterback, it's critical for Penix Jr. to showcase enough pocket movement to avoid the rush. Here, Penix Jr. displays an outstanding ability to maneuver the pocket and reset his mechanics before finding No. 1 receiver Rome Odunze for a chunk gain. This play screams franchise quarterback.

The Penix-to-Odunze connection was unstoppable. Here, the passer uncorks another downfield bomb to Odunze for a 52-yard gain. Penix Jr. is the best deep-ball thrower in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Amazingly, Penix Jr. hadn't yet thrown his first touchdown despite spearheading so many big-time completions. On his first of two touchdown passes, Penix Jr. once again displayed an innate ability to buy himself time in the pocket while avoiding would-be rushers. Penix Jr. steps up and locates Polk for a juggling score.

Penix Jr. threw his second and final touchdown early in the third quarter. This one was a frozen rope that displayed elite arm strength and velocity. He threads the needle in between two Longhorns defenders. By placing so much zip on the ball, Penix Jr. ensured that Texas' secondary players didn't have the time required to shut down this throwing attempt that resulted in a critical go-ahead score.

Penix Jr. and Odunze had one big final connection in them that helped clinch victory. This is automatic from college football's best quarterback-receiver duo. Odunze displays late hands, not allowing the defensive back even a sliver of an opportunity to contend this pass. Penix Jr.'s ball placement is elite, putting the football where only Odunze can come down with it.

Penix Jr. has enjoyed a legendary campaign, but he entered Monday's Sugar Bowl with questions about his pre-draft stock. Age and injury history are often referenced as the elephants in the room when discussing Penix Jr.'s value entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Monday's performance made those topics a moot point. 

Penix Jr. has firmly played himself into the QB3 conversation alongside LSU's Heisman-winning Jayden Daniels and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, the latter of whom he'll square off with head-to-head in the National Championship. Regardless of that outcome, Penix Jr. deserves to be a top-32 selection.