We might have watched the best Quarterback in college football tonight.
Sorry, Caleb.
Watching Washington's Michael Penix, Jr. play with decisiveness and accuracy, it makes me wonder if there's not a three-way battle to be the NFL's first quarterback drafted.
What I saw tonight was a player who delivered strong throws in traffic, on time, and on the money. While USC's Caleb Williams gets accolades for his amazing athletic ability, it begs a question of whether that will translate well to the NFL.
I mean, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has made a living on escapability and improvisation, but he also has had some top tier talent around him. In fact, the way Mahomes has not looked like Mahomes in the absence of some of that talent may serve as a cautionary tale against getting overly enamored with Williams.
And while all the talking heads have already annointed Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye as 1a and 1b in this year's draft, you can't tell me Penix, Jr. isn't going to be a factor. Tonight, playing a tough 12-1 Texas team, Penix, Jr. displayed over and over again the ability to throw with strength, touch, and accuracy within the rhythm of the offense.
The question is: will whoever takes him have the right environment for him to succeed? A team devoid of talent and/or identity may be prohibitive and he may actually benefit by falling in the draft to a team a little closer to contending.
Maybe all three will hit, as hard to believe as that is. If I'm a team with a decent OL, some talent at WR and a developing defense- I'm looking at hard at the kid from Washington.
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