Jim Harbaugh gives early impression of Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.: 'Big-time arm talent'

Compared to the semifinal games, there is a quick turnaround for the College Football Playoff national championship. Jim Harbaugh and Michigan spent a month preparing and discussing Alabama. After getting a Rose Bowl win, only a week will pass before the Wolverines face off against Washington.

A game with a lot more stakes but a shorter amount of time to prepare.

Harbaugh likely wishes he had some more time to prepare for Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He gave his early impressions of the Heisman Trophy runner-up, not having a negative thing to say. Described as “elite”, Penix is certainly playing that way at the moment.

“Super great,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a super great player. My impression of him when he played at Indiana was the same. Big-time arm talent. Tremendous presence in the pocket. Sees the field really well. He’s so polished. Watching him and his accuracy and decision-making, timing.

“He’s really continued to have this tremendous presence of going through progressions. He’s feels pressure, will drop it to a drop-down. It’s at an elite level.”

Harbaugh has seen Penix in person before, dating back to the 2020 season. Michigan lost by 17 to Indiana in Bloomington, with Penix putting on a show. He threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns while completing 30 of 50 pass attempts.

It’s one the now-Washington quarterback hopes he can better on the biggest stage college football has to offer. Michigan may be hoping to hold him to a similar level, especially after how the Sugar Bowl against Texas went.

Penix threw for just two touchdowns on Monday night but had 430 yards and completed 76.3% of his 38 throws. Seemingly everything was dropping right into the bucket of the Washington receivers. No matter how good the coverage was from Texas, Penix found a window.

There is certainly an argument, if not a winning one, that Penix will be the best quarterback Michigan will face all season. Fitting for the national championship game, where both teams are looking to break droughts dating back to the 1990s. To this point, nobody has been able to break the Wolverine’s stout secondary.

Penix will certainly give it a shot, though, with Washington’s incredible wide receiver group. Even if Dillon Johnson is healthy and ready to go, the Huskies will want to drop back and sling it. And based on his comments, Harbaugh is going to be ready for the ariel attack heading Michgian’s way in Houston.