Johnny Manziel: Michael Penix Jr. is 'No. 2 QB prospect' in 2024 NFL Draft

It’s no guarantee that former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. goes in the first round of next Thursday’s 2024 NFL Draft.

Though Penix put up big numbers during his time in Seattle, most have him ranked outside the first tier of quarterbacks, which includes USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

If it were up to Johnny Manziel, however, Penix would go a lot higher than where he’s currently projected. Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M, wrote on The Action Network that Penix is the most pro ready quarterback in this year’s draft class. Manziel added that he believes Penix is the frontrunner to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Johnny Manziel praises Michael Penix Jr.’s performance vs. Texas

“A lot of people said he succumbed to the pressure in the national championship game and that he didn’t make the throws. If you look at him and where his receivers were that day, they were off by half a step on everything,” Manziel said. “Those days happen and if you go back and you really look at where he was at his best, the semifinal game against Texas, that’s as pro-ready of tape as you could ever see from a guy going into the NFL. You pair that with what he’s done throughout this draft process and we’re sitting here, three weeks before the draft, and I am so high on Penix.

“That Texas game, there are a few plays where you sit there and you watch the Texas defensive players sitting there looking back like, ‘What just happened?’ You sit there and you raise your hands up and you’re like, ‘That guy just beat us because of who he is.’ I think he has those kinds of intangibles that you need in the NFL. People can be down on him all they want, but I see him as the No. 2 quarterback prospect in this draft class.”

Johnny Manziel analyzes fits for Michael Penix Jr.

Manziel has zeroed in on the Minnesota Vikings as a team fit for Penix. Minnesota owns the 11th and 23rd overall picks in the first round and are in the market for a quarterback following the departure of Kirk Cousins.

“Talking about fits, this is a guy who has no issues playing in cold-weather games after playing the last two seasons at Washington. But I keep going back to Minnesota,” Manziel said. “Penix is a guy who head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback coach Josh McCown could get their hands on and really, really do some damage. Penix is without a doubt my vote right now on who I think would win Offensive Rookie of the Year and give Caleb Williams the biggest run for his money for that award.”

The 23-year-old is coming off an outstanding season with the Huskies, in which he finished second in Heisman Trophy voting. He threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 65.4% passing. Penix led Washington to an undefeated regular season and Pac-12 championship, and helped the Huskies defeat Texas, 37-31, in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Washington failed to win the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, falling to Michigan, 34-13.

Penix dealt with injuries during his time at Indiana before transferring to Washington ahead of the 2022 season. Penix tore his ACL in 2018 and again in 2020. His injury history could ultimately push him into the second round as a result.