Michael Penix Jr. opens up on the possibility of winning the Heisman Trophy
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. has been in the conversation for The Heisman Trophy for the duration of the season. Now, he is officially a finalist for the most prestigious award in college football after the announcement on Monday.
Following the Huskies’ win in the Pac-12 Championship, Penix Jr. is proud that he is part of that race, especially since winning and going undefeated this season are significant parts of his case. However, he’s just going to let whatever happens happen as far as the votes go ahead of the ceremony this weekend.
“It’s just a blessing to be able to be in that talk,” said Penix. “For me, it was always the main thing was to win. To be able to do that today on a stage like this? It’s incredible. I’m going to always savor this moment.”
“I’m just super excited. Right now? I’m just really living in this moment,” Penix continued. “Whatever happens come next weekend is going to happen. It’s already written.”
Penix Jr. also took that opportunity at the mic to thank the program for giving him the chance to even have a shot at being the Heisman. That included his offensive line that has allowed him to take just 10 sacks this season. He also mentioned his coaching staff for putting him in positions to be successful.
“Obviously, I couldn’t do it without the guys around me,” Penix said. “I got to thank my offensive line for all the work that they put in each and every day to allow me to stay clean on Saturdays. I’m just super blessed for the guys I have around me. Coach DeBoer and the staff as well, for sure.”
Penix Jr. led the nation in passing yards this season with 4,218. He also tied for second in passing touchdowns with 33 while maintaining a better than 3.5-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio. His completion rate was Top-25 in the country as well as he made 65.9% of his throws in 2023.
Penix Jr. has as good a chance as any of the four finalists of joining the fraternity that comes with being a Heisman. Still, he’s going to let the chips fall where they may on Saturday when it comes to hoisting the trophy for himself.
Kalen DeBoer makes case for Penix Jr. to win the Heisman
Kalen DeBoer made his case for Michael Penix Jr. to win the Heisman Trophy this weekend.
With a 13-0 record, a Pac-12 title, and big time numbers, DeBoer does not see a better candidate for the award this season.
“First of all, he’s 13-0,” DeBoer said. “I think what you do is you look at the greatest moments when the greatest players have to rise and step up and he did again the other night. A three point game behind and we found a way to get ahead.”
“There are those big moments where you do that and win those games because you have the trigger man. You have the guy that doesn’t just put up all these crazy stats. But a guy that leads your football team.”
DeBoer could not sing Penix Jr.’s praises enough when it came to the quarterback’s leadership.
“When he gathers the team around after I get done with my talk and just takes it to another level? What he does at the end of the fourth quarter or at the end of the third quarter at the break, where you know, when you’re exhausted and given everything you have you get the team around you and just pour your heart and soul into challenging these guys? It means so much more when it comes from a player and when it comes from your quarterback who you have all the trust in the world. It just doesn’t get any better than that.”
“The statistics are one thing, the wins are another. The leadership? He’s just a class act through and through,” DeBoer said. “It’s, first and foremost, all about this team. The Heisman would be an awesome thing that many years down the road will be an awesome honor for him to continue to look back on.”