The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing in Washington Huskies standout quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for a pre-draft visit next week, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Penix, the Maxwell Award winner and Heisman runner-up, could be a first-round selection in a deep quarterback class. He stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 216 pounds. The 23-year-old led Washington to 14 straight wins before losing to Michigan in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game.
In 2023, Penix completed 65.4 percent of his throws for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns along with 11 interceptions. He also added three touchdowns on the ground.
Penix didn’t participate in combine testing but did workout for NFL personnel at the University of Washington’s pro day. The left-handed QB suffered two right ACL tears, in 2018 and 2020, while at Indiana but proved his athletic ability hasn’t been hindered. He ran an unofficial sub-4.6-second 40-yard dash.
A group of scouts clocked Penix’s 40-yard dash between 4.56 to 4.59, per ESPN’s Field Yates.
Penix also posted an impressive 36 1/2-inch vertical jump.
According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Penix is projected to go near the beginning of the second round. However, it’s unlikely Pittsburgh is willing to use an early draft pick on a quarterback after acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields earlier in the offseason.
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