Michael Penix makes appearance in Tuscaloosa, helps Kalen DeBoer with recruiting

Former Washington quarterback Michael Penix shined the brightest in college career in his two seasons with the Huskies. But the recent first-round draft pick recently showed his allegiance to his former head coach over his alma mater.

Penix spent a single season with Kalen DeBoer at Indiana, who served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Hoosiers before they re-joined forces at Washington where DeBoer was the head coach for the last two years and Penix established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in college football.

DeBoer is now the head man at Alabama, filling in the shoes left behind by Nick Saban following the retirement of the legend in January. And as DeBoer looks to maintain the Crimson Tide’s high standards, he recently got an assist in recruiting from his former quarterback. With Penix making a recent appearance in Tuscaloosa that can be seen below.

Penix may have never played a down for the Crimson Tide, but has played many for DeBoer. Showing that his bond with his former coach goes beyond school colors as he likely shared some wisdom and knowledge with Alabama recruits over the weekend.

After throwing for a career-high 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns last season for the Huskies, Penix finished second in Heisman Trophy voting last year. Selected with the No. 8 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in shocking fashion during the recent 2024 NFL Draft after leading Washington to a national championship game appearance.

Crimson Tide fans are hoping DeBoer can also lead Alabama back to the national championship stage that they’ve become accustomed to appearing on during their previous 17 seasons under Saban. Which will definitely take some strong recruiting from DeBoer in his staff, as Penix was seen pictured with four-star wideout Donovan Murph over the weekend. Who is ranked as the No. 34 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 3 overall player in South Carolina for the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Penix also made an appearance at Washington’s ‘Dawgs After Dark’ spring game in May alongside other Husky football alumni. And with 10 Huskies selected in the most recent NFL Draft, it will be fascinating how Washington’s former players balance their support for DeBoer and the Huskies program in the future under new head coach Jedd Fisch.