QB Penix Jr. eager to reveal scouts what he can

• Pete Thamel Jeff Legwold Close Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Citizen Author Jeff Legwold is a senior author who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, signing up with ESPN in 2013. He also helps with NFL draft protection, including his annual top 100 potential customers. Jeff has actually belonged to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors given that 1999. He has actually gone to every hunting combine since 1987.

Jan 30, 2024, 06:08 PM ET

MOBILE, Ala.– Former Washington star quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s profession arc has been defined by conquering adversity, as he sustained four season-ending injuries throughout his very first 4 seasons of college football while playing at Indiana.Penix remained healthy the past two years at Washington, leading the country in passing yards per game in both 2022 and 2023 and going 25-3 as a starter.Penix pertained to the Senior Bowl this week to complete for

a spot in the NFL draft’s first round, as his injury history becomes part of the factor that his respected production the previous two years doesn’t match his draft projections.Penix understands there will be questions about his health history.

And Penix told ESPN that he went to see Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache, the noted surgeon from the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Center in Los Angeles. ElAttrache took scans of the Penix’s right knee, which has sustained 2 ACL tears that ended his 2018 and 2020 seasons.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Penix told ESPN that ElAttrache will be readily available to talk to any groups that have concerns, but said that

he got a”thumbs

up”from ElAttrache and” there’s absolutely nothing to hold me back.”That aligns with how Penix’s knee felt in the 3 seasons considering that the 2nd ACL tear, as that particular injury hasn’t triggered him to miss a practice, exercise or game in those seasons.He added:”A few of that things I can’t control. I can inform them how I feel, I can show them how I feel, that’s all I can do at that point. I have actually got a lot of scans to reveal them, the medical professional states I’m clear, nothing’s wrong, I do not see why they would believe I’m hurt, truly. I can just reveal them what I can do. “Penix did that plenty on the field the previous two seasons at Washington. He led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff in 2023, as they began 14-0 before losing to Michigan in the College Football Playoff championship.This season, Penix threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He completed 65.4% of his passes in an offense that put a premium on pressing the ball down the field.

He likewise took just 16 sacks on more than 1,100 passing efforts the previous two years thanks to a strong offensive line and the deft capability to feel pressure.Asked whether he’s disappointed that he still needs to show himself to critics, Penix quickly dismissed the notion.”I can’t manage other individuals’s point of views or how they view me as a quarterback,”he stated.” For me, I simply got

to continue to be myself and continue to work hard each and every day to reveal them that I want to do whatever it requires fantastic, and I belong anywhere that I wind up.” Michael Penix Jr. threw for 4,903 lawns, 36 goals and just 11 interceptions this season leading Washington to a College Football Playoff Championship appearance versus Michigan. Picture by Chris Graythen/Getty Images Penix has invested the weeks considering that the nationwide title game training with noted quarterback tutor John Beck of 3DQB in Southern California.He said that the 34-13 loss in the nationwide title game to Michigan was” tough for me to overcome in the beginning,”however he has been thrilled to return on the field.During Senior Bowl practices this week in Mobile, Penix and the other quarterbacks have actually met groups of five NFL teams at the same time. He stated the questions have actually mostly included his background and journey through football.Penix played the very first four years of his career at Indiana. Together with the ACL injuries, 2 other seasons (2019 and 2021)ended with shoulder injuries, one to each shoulder. Neither of those injuries is anticipated to affect him in the NFL.Penix is appreciative of the minutes at the Senior citizen Bowl after those years where injuries converged his seasons.”It was tough for me to simply head out there and have fun at that time,”he

stated. “I was just attempting to get to that point where you can go back out there and find fun in the game once again. I was blessed– I am blessed– to be in this position where I have actually found I can head out there and have a good time.”Penix sprayed circulates the field Tuesday, the familiar sight of the ball blowing up out of his left hand. The setting showcased his arm skill, with hundreds of NFL critics scattered around Hancock Whitney Stadium on the school of South Alabama. And he’s eager to keep placing on a program.”Just developing relationships here, constructing relationships with people, raising myself as an individual and player here, “Penix said. “Just attempting to be familiar with as lots of people as I can, being out here in front of these coaches, to reveal my abilities in front of them. I’m soaking in the minute. As long as I take in all of the minutes and get everything out of it I can, I feel like it will a great week for me.”