Kalen DeBoer reveals Michael Penix Jr's biggest area of improvement over offseason

The 2023 Pac-12 Football Media Day is underway. This event gives coaches, players, and other members of their respective programs an opportunity to discuss thoughts and expectations heading into next season. One of the more prominent topics for Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer was his second-year starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Penix proved last season that he was still one of the best quarterbacks in college football after transferring to Washington from Indiana in the previous offseason. He led the Huskies to an 11-2 record, but they were a game shy of playing in the conference championship game.

And for Penix to right last season’s near miss and lead Washington to greater heights in 2023, he must continue to step up his game, which is exactly what he’s done over the offseason. According to DeBoer, Penix’s biggest improvement area hasn’t been in the field but in the leadership department.

“I think it’s definitely in the leadership,” said DeBoer. “We know that he’s got the reads, and he’s understood the offense now because it’s been really the same system since 2019 when he was at Indiana… it changes from week to week, and the game plan and so forth, but he understands it inside and out.

“So now, it’s just a matter of him leading. And I don’t think there’s a meeting that we have where I ask for input and thoughts where he doesn’t speak up and say something anymore. And that happens on the field. He brings his A-game every day. He knows that’s what we need from him. A year ago, at this time, he wasn’t even named the starter. And so, it’s been great for us to have his leadership from day one back in January, knowing who our starting quarterback is going to be when that rolls out of the football field September 2.”

Although it is a similar offense to the one he ran at Indiana, it was a much different result for Penix in his first season at Washington. Last year, the Tampa Bay, Florida, native completed 65.3 percent of his passes, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt while throwing for 4641 yards. He did throw eight interceptions but was responsible for 35 touchdowns on the season: 31 passing and four rushing.

With another offseason under his belt, Penix has become more of a leader in the Washington program. DeBoer is a huge fan of the growth and leadership his quarterback has taken this offseason, which should pay dividends for the Huskies in their attempt to capture the Pac-12 title this season.