FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Michael Penix Jr. first set foot on the University of Washington campus in December of 2021, he was a quarterback with immense potential but relatively limited production.
Injuries had ended each of Penix's first four seasons at Indiana University early, leaving him in search of a fresh start. The medical setbacks would typically be enough to scare off suitors, but Penix had shown such promise in limited action that his phone started blowing up when he entered the transfer portal as a redshirt junior.
Washington was among those teams calling. Its new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, had been Penix's offensive coordinator at Indiana during the 2019 season and knew how special he was.
"Michael is really mature," DeBoer told Atlantafalcons.com this season. "He's been through a lot over the course of his college career, now into his professional career. He's understood how to handle different adversity that comes his way, on and off the field."
Penix's misfortune at Indiana did not follow him across the country, and his talent certainly never left. He was named the Huskies’ starting quarterback before the 2022 season opener and never looked back.
Working inside DeBoer's offense, Penix became the most prolific passer in the country over the next two seasons. In 28 games, Penix threw for 9,544 yards with 67 touchdowns. His 4,903 passing yards in 2023 were the most by any quarterback in college football; his 36 touchdown passes ranked third.
He had already gained a reputation for having elite arm talent and athleticism, but two healthy seasons allowed him to finally provide proof of his potential. Guiding Washington to an 11-2 record in his first year, a Pac-12 championship and an eventual spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2023, Penix showed his mental fortitude matched his physical aptitude.
"What I always remind him about is that he's ready for whatever comes his way because he's been through so much," DeBoer said. "(He) understands that if he just is himself, he can manage it, he can get through it. He can lead in a positive way to where he'll be successful, and he'll bring others with him."
Now, on the cusp of his first professional start, Penix's ability to overcome adversity will be tested once again.
The Atlanta Falcons enter their final three-week stretch a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South standings. The team also needs a little help in the conference’s wild-card picture. His debut won't be the result of plans going perfectly, but that has rarely been the case for Penix. And yet, he's thrived anyway.
"There's something about people that can go through adversity," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said the night Atlanta drafted Penix. "There is something about people who can handle adversity and there is something about people who can literally bounce back from all different types of walks of life and be here."
Only time will tell how the Falcons plan to use the No. 8 pick in April's NFL Draft, but it's clear what attracted them to Penix in the first place.
The 24-year-old has a wealth of experience, both glorious and gut-wrenching. His resilience isn't lip service, it has been hard won. His ability has drawn comparisons to players like Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert.
"He throws a really catchable ball that has some zip on it but also good touch to where players can reel it in with ease," DeBoer said. "He sees defenses in a way where he understands how to attack them with the concepts that are called."
Even Penix's introductory press conference left those in attendance with the impression that the rookie has a rare demeanor.
This is the NFL, though. It has a lengthy track record of taking storybook narratives and tossing them in the shredder. The player who has the veneer of composure will be quickly found out. The player who has earned that self-belief honestly, however, can thrive.
"You know, this kid has played a significant amount of football in college football, and he's got a lot of reps," Morris said. "He's got a lot of poise, and he's come here and shown nothing but growth and development, and now we'll go see what it looks like."
