SEATTLE — Michael Penix Jr. used his pro day to demonstrate the athleticism that wasn't always on display during his two seasons carving up opposing defenses at Washington.
The left-handed quarterback and Heisman Trophy runner-up tried to quell any concerns about his athletic ability in front of a bevy of NFL scouts on Thursday.
“I just wanted to show that I’m athletic and I can do it with my legs if I have to,” Penix said.
Penix ran the 40-yard dash after opting not to at the NFL combine, with scouts timing him in 4.51 and 4.57 seconds. He also posted an impressive vertical jump of 36 1/2 inches.
During a throwing session at the end of the event, Penix zipped tight spirals and threw his noted deep ball all over the field in front of representatives from at least 30 NFL teams. Among those in attendance were New York Giants coach Brian Daboll, Giants general manager Joe Schoen and Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider.
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Penix said he has upcoming visits scheduled with Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh and the Giants.
“I’m just ready to see where I’m going so I can help a team win football games,” Penix said. “It’s a blessing. I’m enjoying each and every step.”
Penix is projected to be picked somewhere in the first two rounds of April’s NFL draft, but there are a wide range of opinions on where exactly he’ll land.
Penix led the nation in passing each of the past two seasons, going 25-3 as a starter in Washington’s high-flying attack. He threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season while leading the Huskies to the national championship game.
But his age and injury history have been question marks for some.
Chun says Washington is where he's 'supposed to be'
SEATTLE — Pat Chun finished his opening remarks with a phrase that drew applause from a crowd of supporters clad in purple.
“Go Dawgs,” he said.
Yes, it sounded odd.
Chun was introduced Thursday as the new athletic director at the University of Washington, leaving behind six years in the same role at Washington State to take the reins of the rival program that will begin life in the Big Ten Conference this fall.
“We looked for the best person in the country. It was incidental that person was at Washington State,” Washington president Ana Mari Cauce said.
Cauce said the school spoke with Chun six months ago prior to Dannen’s hiring, but the timing wasn’t right. At that time Washington State was reeling, trying to find stability of its own moving forward without a permanent conference for its athletic programs.
Additionally, Chun was holding out hope for the athletic director job at Ohio State — where he previously worked for 15 years — after Gene Smith announced his retirement.
So. Carolina looks for consistency, playmakers for offense in spring ball
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina's best offensive playmakers are gone, not a promising prospect for an offense that had its share of problems last season.
The Gamecocks were 5-7 and missed the postseason for the first time in coach Shane Beamer's three seasons. The offense ranked 12th in Southeastern Conference scoring and, while quarterback Spencer Rattler and receiver Xavier Legette fueled the league's fourth-best passing attack, it was dead last in rushing.
The focus this spring? Finding consistency on offense among the inexperienced backups and incoming transfers.
South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains told his offense the first day of spring practice earlier this month is the world judges them on three things: "You've got to know what to do, you've got to know how to do it and you've got to go do it under pressure.
“We're still in the phase of learning what to do,” he said.
Rattler threw for 6,212 yards with 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his two years since transferring from Oklahoma. Legette caught 71 passes for a school record 1,255 yards last season. Also gone is Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., who was the team's leading pass catcher in 2022 with 68 receptions for 928 yards. He transferred to Mississippi this offseason.