Greg McElroy raves over Michael Penix's potential for 2023

One of the best quarterbacks in the country resides out west, with Michael Penix garnering national attention. After an impressive performance against Texas to close out the season, Penix announced he would return and lead the Huskies for another season. The hype train might still be in the station but we’re close to seeing a departure.

If Penix has one fan in this world, it’s ESPN’s Greg McElroy. He raved about the Washington quarterbacks, saying he should have been up there in the Heisman conversation. Adding another year in Seattle is only going to help the cause as well.

“To me, the guy that arguably had the most impressive year last year outside of Caleb Williams and should have been on the shortlist for everyone when considering a Heisman Trophy candidate was Michael Penix,” McElroy said. “He’s only going to get better, he’s only going to get stronger, he’s only going to have a better understanding of what they’re trying to be offensively as he moves into year No. 2 at Washington as the starter.”

Of course, Williams is going to be the most talked about Pac-12 quarterback after winning the Heisman Trophy. Penix then falls into a category of other guys who are legit, including Oregon‘s Bo Nix and Utah‘s Cam Rising. Even so, McElroy says he would take Washington’s guy over both of those in a tough decision.

“This guy has played a ton of football,” McElroy said. “With his arm strength, with his arm talent, with his mobility — it would be really tough to pick an All-Pac 12 preseason quarterback list because all those guys are so dang good. But tell you what, if I am picking one of those guys over Penix, it’s going to be a difficult decision to make. That’s how much faith I have in him.”

Penix began his career at Indiana and had some nice moments in Bloomington. This past season at UW, he threw for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. Add on a 65.3 completion percentage and the Huskies had the real deal running their offense.

As McElroy says, Year Two is projected to be an even better one. Washington will be pushing for more than just an Alamo Bowl win, wanting to be on the national stage. Penix will have to remain healthy and continue to perform the way he did in 2022. Maybe another College Football Playoff appearance will be back on the table.