Michael Penix Jr. is not just a passer, he's an athlete — and he wants you to know it.
The former Washington Huskies quarterback is bidding farewell to his college stomping grounds when the 2024 NFL Draft begins in April, turning in one more showcase in the Pacific Northwest before his name gets called.
While most quarterbacks use their pro day to show off their arm talent, making a variety of short, intermediate, and deep throws to impress NFL scouts, Penix opted for something a little different. He participated in vertical leap testing and also ran a 40-yard dash. The future NFL signal-caller won't be grabbing rebounds or running track in the Olympics anytime soon, but it was all part of a plan to shake his label as more of a pocket passer than anything else.
Considering the results, it's safe to say he accomplished that mission.
Here's what to know about Penix's 40 time and stats throughout his college career.
MORE: Michael Penix Jr. pro day highlights
Michael Penix Jr. 40 time
There is some disagreement about the exact time that Penix posted, with some having him clock in with an unofficial 4.46 while others had around 4.56.
We had Penix at 4.46 hand timed. Even 0.2 lower that’s an incredible time! pic.twitter.com/QoUP01PKws
— Ben Glassmire (@BenGlassmireNFL) March 28, 2024
A range of 40 times from a cluster of scouts (and Rome Odunze also timing) here watching Michael Penix, Jr.’s run:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 28, 2024
Between 4.56-4.59
Regardless, that 4.5 range for Penix is surely to draw attention, especially considering his reputation for being somewhat of a statue in the pocket. The QB, who is hoping to catapult into the first round, wanted to showcase his athleticism for the NFL world to see.
Just cause I don’t have to run don’t mean I can’t run and I’m not athletic 🥱 the real ones know lol😁
— Mike Penix Jr. (@themikepenix) March 27, 2024
"I ain't no bum," Penix told ESPN's Molly McGrath. "I want to show off my athleticism and prove that I can run when I need to.”
In addition to a quick 40 time, Penix also posted a 36.5 inch vertical jump.
Michael Penix with a 36.5” vert at the UW Pro Day pic.twitter.com/zQg6ckket7
— Evan Feather (@evanfeather42) March 28, 2024
The quarterback, who has torn his ACL twice, is showing no signs of being impacted by his injury history. That's sure to do wonders for Penix's draft stock as it's almost a certainty that some team will fall in love with his game.
MORE: Compare latest mock drafts from Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah & more experts
Notable 2024 NFL Draft QB's 40 times
Most of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, elected to not run a 40-yard dash at the combine or their pro day. Only four of the signal callers ended up doing so in Indianapolis or their pro days — Kedon Slovis, Sam Hartman, Austin Reed, and Spencer Rattler.
Here's how they compared to the unofficial time Penix posted on Thursday:
| Player (School) | Time |
| Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) | 4.46 (unofficial) |
| Kedon Slovis (BYU) | 4.55 |
| Sam Hartman (Notre Dame) | 4.80 |
| Austin Reed (Western Kentucky) | 4.82 |
| Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) | 4.95 |
Michael Penix Jr. stats
The scouting report on Penix has always been kind to his arm, but the athletic ability is where there's been room for growth. After putting injury concerns aside, he shined over the last two seasons at Washington, where he started at least 13 games each year.
Here's a look at his passing stats since first appearing on the college gridiron in 2018:
| Year | School | Games | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT |
| 2018 | Indiana | 3 | 61.8 | 219 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | Indiana | 7 | 68.8 | 1394 | 10 | 4 |
| 2020 | Indiana | 6 | 56.4 | 1645 | 14 | 4 |
| 2021 | Indiana | 5 | 53.7 | 939 | 4 | 7 |
| 2022 | Washington | 13 | 65.3 | 4641 | 31 | 8 |
| 2023 | Washington | 15 | 65.4 | 4902 | 36 | 11 |
He's been projected as a second-round pick for the most part, but his pro day could see him sneak into the first round. If Penix finds himself among the first 32 players selected, the team that picks him would have the opportunity to exercise the fifth-year option down the road.
In a league that is filled with teams trying to take advantage of quarterbacks on cheaper contracts, Penix's combination of arm talent and athleticism could be exactly what a team is looking for when the 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25.
