Connect with us

FOOTBALL

Former IU football QB Michael Penix a ‘dark horse’ first round pick for 2024 NFL Draft

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Former IU football and current Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) is trending towards a first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. (James Snook-USA TODAY Sports)

Michael Penix played four years with the IU football program and despite having success, his breakout season came last year.

After transferring out of the IU football program, Penix went to a comfortable spot — committing to Washington. His comfort was with former Indiana offensive coordinator and current Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. Penix spent his freshman season at IU with DeBoer and threw for 1,394 yards in six games with a completion percentage of 68.8.

In his first year with the Huskies, Penix was second in the country in passing yards (4,641) and threw 31 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. He was just the second player in Washington history to throw for over 4,000 yards.

He helped lead Washington to an 11-2 record.

Now, despite being an expected early-round draft pick in 2023, Penix is a ‘dark horse’ first round sleeper for the 2024 NFL Draft. 

“Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr is one of my favorite guys to keep an eye on after a super productive 2022 season in his first year under Kalen Deboer at Washington,” 247Sports college football writer Blake Brockermeyer wrote. “I was expecting him to come out after last season but it appears he, and likely the NFL, think further development could be good for him. The southpaw lit up the scoreboard at U-Dub, throwing for 4,641 yards and 31 touchdown passes.

“Penix is able to move the pocket in both directions and can make all the throws to the field that the NFL is looking for. He has a lightning-quick release and does not take long to get rid of the ball in rhythm. Penix Jr. is poised to have a big year as Washington returns an impressive receiving unit. I’m looking for his accuracy to improve a little and see improved consistency on his deeper throws.”

In 2022, Penix threw for 300+ yards in 10 of the 13 games he played. He had two games with 485+ yards.

The biggest knock on the former IU football signal caller with his durability. At Indiana, he suffered a season-ending injury every season.

After putting together a full season at Washington, there is no question he is an NFL talent.

In four years for Indiana, Penix threw for 4,1497 yards and 29 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. His best season was in 2020, helping lead the Hoosiers to a No. 9 ranking in the AP Poll and a 6-2 record.

He threw for 1,645 yards, 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions in six games. His best games was a 491-yard performance at Ohio State, including five touchdowns and one interception. He suffered a torn ACL against Maryland.

Most mock drafts have Penix as a late first round or early second round draft pick.

SEE ALSO: Five IU football players who could make way on 2024 NFL Draft radar

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FOOTBALL

Indiana football set to add field-level premium seats in Memorial Stadium

Published

3 hours ago

on

June 1, 2023

By

Indiana football is set to unveil field-level premium seating in Memorial Stadium this season for all home games. (Indiana Athletics)

The Indiana football program has unveiled a new experience at Memorial Stadium. Set to roll out this season, Indiana will provide premium suites for game-day experiences.

Memorial Stadium will have  eight field level suites on the stadium’s south end behind the end zone.

Each suite costs $20,000/season, which includes 16 tickets to each of IU’s home games. Pricing for a single-game suite is TBD.

Below is the full release from the Indiana football program.

Bloomington, Ind. – Hoosier Football fans now have the chance to enjoy a premium suite experience at Memorial Stadium from field level.

Beginning this fall, Memorial Stadium will feature eight field level suites on the stadium’s south end located immediately behind the end zone. Each suite includes spacious, sectional furniture seating; a mounted large screen television on the suite’s awning; a drink rail with seating facing the field; high barstool seats to provide additional seating space. Other special amenities include an all-you-can-eat hospitality buffet; domestic, craft beer, and wine options; a personal suite attendant; and a unique player vantage point from field level.

Each suite costs $20,000/season, which includes 16 tickets to each of IU’s home games beginning with the Sept. 2 opener against Ohio State. Pricing for a single-game suite is TBD.

The new premium suite experience is the result of a new partnership between IU Athletics and REVELXP. REVELXP partners with sports and entertainment brands across the U.S. to provide fans with an elevated experience on game days. To date, REVELXP has partnerships with nearly 100 collegiate and professional properties nationwide. Among its active partnerships are Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and the College Football Playoff.

“We continue to look for ways to enhance and expand the game-day experience alternatives for Hoosier football fans, so we are excited to offer this new premium seating opportunity beginning this fall,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “REVELXP has a proven track record of providing the highest level of service and experiences at a wide array of events, college football included.  I expect this to be a very enticing opportunity for our fanbase for not only this year, but for years to come.”

SEE ALSO: Indiana football opens 2023 season against Ohio State with primetime afternoon CBS time slot

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

Continue Reading

FOOTBALL

Indiana football opens 2023 season against Ohio State with primetime afternoon CBS time slot

Published

1 day ago

on

May 31, 2023

By

The Indiana football program will open the 2023 season at home against Ohio State at 3:30 pm on CBS on Sept. 2. (Indiana Athletics)

The Big Ten has announced game times and tv designations for the first three weekends of the 2023 season. That includes a prime afternoon time slot for the Indiana football program in its season opener.

On Saturday Sept. 2, Indiana will open the season at home against Ohio State at 3:30 pm on CBS.

This is the first year of the Big Ten’s new television contract which includes NBC and CBS tv designations.

Below is the full release from the Big Ten.

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced times and television networks on Wednesday (May 31) for the first three weekends of the 2023 season along with the time for the Indiana football homecoming game.

The conference office announced the following for the Hoosiers:

Saturday, Sept. 2 | Ohio State at Indiana | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
Friday, Sept. 8 | Indiana State at Indiana | 7pm or 8 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Saturday, Sept. 16 | Louisville vs. Indiana | Noon | Big Ten Network
Saturday, Oct. 21 | Rutgers at Indiana | Noon

The 2023 season marks the first season with new broadcast partners to distribute the conference’s television broadcasts. Games will be distributed to fans across broadcast, cable and direct-to-consumer platforms on CBS, FOX and NBC, along with the Big Ten Network and FS1. NBCUniversal’s direct-to-consumer platform, Peacock, will also carry Big Ten games for the first time.

All games televised on NBC will also be available for streaming on Peacock. Games exclusive to Peacock will only be available on that platform.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football enters phase two of prep work as a critical summer approaches

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

Continue Reading

FOOTBALL

Indiana Football: DeQuece Carter among highest rated returning WRs in Big Ten

Published

1 day ago

on

May 31, 2023

By

DeQuece Carter starts his Indiana football career as one of the top returning wide receivers in the Big Ten after transferring from Fordham. (DeQuece Carter / Fordham Athletics)

The Indiana football program landed one of the most productive wide receivers in the transfer portal this offseason. DeQuece Carter, transfer from Fordham, arrived in Bloomington this spring looking to make an immediate impact on the Indiana football program.

The 5-foot-11 Carter had 1,166 yards with 56 receptions and 13 touchdowns last year. He had five 100+ yard receiving games and averaged 20.8 yards per catch.

As a junior, Carter finished with 48 catches for 872 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a freshman, he was named a Freshman All-American after totaling 53 catches for 723 yards and five touchdowns.

Now, heading into the 2023 season, Carter is ranked among the highest wide receivers in the Big Ten.

According to Pro Football Focus, Carter is the fourth highest graded receiver who returns from last year. He has a rating of 80.8. The three wideouts in front of Carter include Dante Cephas of Penn State and then two Ohio State wide receivers at No. 1 and No. 2, Marvin Harrison and Emeka Egbuka respectively.

After a lack of explosive plays in 2022, the Hoosiers are looking for that with Carter this season.

“Super, super productive … that’s one of the things you go through. Let’s go find a guy who has been highly, highly productive maybe at a smaller level but he has a chip on his shoulder because he wants to prove he belongs with the big boys. And that’s what he brings,” IU head coach Tom Allen said after Carter’s signing. “… He knows how to get open and has tremendous ball skills to be able to make plays. He’s got that swagger, that confidence that when he steps on that field he’s going to make plays.”

Indiana looks to bounce back after a 4-8 season and Carter’s ability to make explosive plays is a reason for some offensive optimism.

Indiana football opens its 2023 season against Ohio State on Sept. 2 in Bloomington.

SEE ALSO: Storylines to follow for the Indiana football program following spring practice

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

Continue Reading

Trending