TAMPA — The left-handed quarterback stayed until the NFL scouting combine activities started. Michael Penix Jr. of Washington was anxious to throw, but the other great quarterbacks in college football chose to reserve their displays of skill until their professional careers.
As a result, the Dade City native and former Tampa Bay Tech star performed on Saturday. Even although he failed to cement his position as a first-round selection, his readiness to perform on a major stage won him over to many organizations.
Penix stated at his media conference, “Just a chance to show I’m willing to compete at the highest level.” “I’m ready to compete at all times. I’ve liked playing this game since I was a child, so I’ll take advantage of every opportunity to participate. Regards to the men that choose not to participate. Everybody has their own motivations. However, I never turn down the chance to compete.
Based on information from “evaluators that were inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday,” Penix “was probably the winner among the quarterbacks” at the combine, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
With a buttery-smooth throwing technique and a rapid release, Penix showed off his incredible arm strength and deep-ball accuracy. Due to these qualities, Penix was dubbed the finest deep ball thrower the Bucs had seen in fifteen years by former head coach Bruce Arians.
Caleb Williams of USC, Jayden Daniels of LSU, and Drake Maye of North Carolina—who chose not to work out last week in Indianapolis—will undoubtedly go undrafted first, but Penix’s status seems to be growing.
Penix and three other quarterbacks from the combine, J.J. McCarthy of Michigan, Spencer Rattler of South Carolina, and Michael Pratt of Tulane, had official interviews with the Bucs. Additionally, they had a casual discussion with Devin Leary, the new offensive coordinator for the Bucs, Liam Coen’s teammate from Kentucky.
When the Bucs choose at No. 26 overall, McCarthy and Penix may both be available. McCarthy had a 28-1 career record, which included a victory over Penix in the national championship match. Reviews of his combine workout were mixed because he didn’t click with all of the receivers.
Rattler failed to make an impression and has since moved between South Carolina and Oklahoma. Between Rounds 3-5, he and Pratt could go anywhere. Leary is only a project, no more superior than a choice from Day 3.
Penix’s four injury-plagued seasons at Indiana, including two ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments, are likely to damage his draft ranking. It’s possible that other players left the game.
Penix remarked, “Giving up has never been in my blood since I was a kid.” My parents instilled in me the belief that “if you start something, you’re going to finish it,” and they never allowed me to give up or quit anything. I was aware that I would never give up; instead, I would keep putting my faith and the people in my life in high regard, accept each day as it comes, and savor every moment.
