Michael Penix Jr. addresses a laundry list of injury concerns with the 2024 NFL Draft on the horizon

NFL Combine
Michael Penix Jr. at the NFL Combine

Michael Penix Jr. might not be the leading QB choice on the lips of many before the 2024 NFL Draft, but the 23-year-old is quickly rising on everybody’s list. Additionally, after a confessional letter to NFL GMs, Penix Jr.’s stock could rise even further.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy runner-up battled multiple injuries throughout his college career, which has been his biggest draft stock hamper.

The Washington graduate, however, had a sublime final season free of injuries. Michael Penix Jr. took the Huskies to the playoffs while remaining undefeated. That said, the Maxwell Award (2023) winner wrote an open letter in ‘The Players Tribune’ talking candidly about his injuries.

“Truth is, I’d be more worried if I had never been injured. We don’t all come back the same. I can’t speak for those that have never gone through anything.”

Penix Jr. also talked about injuries being the building blocks for the player he is today.

“I can speak on me. I’ve seen how deep my foundation is. I know the storms I’m prepared to weather. For most people that’d be the end of their story. But there’s more to my story, and I own every page of it.”
NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Washington at Michigan
NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Washington at Michigan

In a few days, it will be clear to the world whether this appeal by Penix Jr. had any effect on GMs regarding his draft status.

Potential landing spots for Michael Penix Jr.

Despite his injury-laden college career, Michael Penix Jr. is considered a first-round pick by most experts before the draft. Not only that, several franchises are willing to bet their futures on him.

Presently, the Los Angeles Rams with their 19th overall pick and Las Vegas Raiders with their 13th overall pick are considered favorites to draft Penix Jr. However, draft day often throws surprises, and the young QB could be drafted even higher in the pecking order.

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