Throughout fall camp and dating back to spring Michael Penix Jr. has been the most consistent quarterback since he transferred to the University of Washington from Indiana University in January. In short, he’s done everything to earn the right to start for the Huskies against Kent State for the home opener on September 3.
“I think Mike’s just been solid,” UW head coach Kalen DeBoer said after the second scrimmage in fall camp. “Consistent day in and day out. Does a great job picking up, seeing protections and getting us in the right plays. He knows that the offense is supposed to look like, too, so that helps as well.”
Following Saturday’s scrimmage, Husky coaches evaluated every position on the team and laid out the situation for each to give two weeks with the starters before the start of the season. On Tuesday DeBoer confirmed that Penix Jr. will be the starting quarterback.
“He’s just had a really great camp and he’s been consistent from the time spring ball started to where he’s at now,” DeBoer said. “He’s done a great job earning it. I’m excited for him to get those extra reps now, build that chemistry with the group and I think now can take that next level leadership.”
COMPETITION BRINGS OUT THE BEST
The competition for the starting quarterback job brought out the best in each of the three. On Monday, both Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb spoke with the players individually and informed them of the decision. This morning the first quarterback in the building was sophomore Dylan Morris, who at this time is the backup behind Penix Jr. and ahead of redshirt freshman Sam Huard.
Both DeBoer and Grubb emphasized that all three handled the decision with exceptional class and came to practice Tuesday with the same approach and mindset as they had throughout fall camp. Now that Penix Jr. has been named as the starter, Grubb wants it to help him take the next step as a leader.
“I’m hoping it blossoms even more now,” Grubb said. “I think in fall camp all three guys took it as far as, when you’re out there you’re the starter. That was always my mantra with them. If you’re on the field you’re taking reps, you’re the starter. You got to think that way. Don’t think about the reps the other guy had. Just keep moving forward and view yourself that way. “
“So, I’m really hoping this galvanizes that with Mike, and he has to move forward that way now. So I’m excited to see him do that.”
Penix Jr. came to Seattle after four seasons in Bloomington, Indiana, one of which was spent with DeBoer as his offensive coordinator in 2019. His experience in the offense certainly played a role to lead him to be named as the Huskies’ starter, but he put in the work to earn it.
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“I feel like it was real good just coming in and knowing some of the stuff,” Penix Jr. said Tuesday after the news came out. “Sam and D-Mo, they picked up on a lot of things very quickly. They’re always detail oriented guys. Guys always putting in the extra work as well. I feel I had some slight advantage of just knowing some of the playbook, but those guys they dialed into it real fast. They made a lot of great things happen out here on the field.”
