Before Curt Cignetti took Indiana to the playoff, the Hoosiers mustered only two winning seasons in their previous 16 years. Those two seasons had something in common: they were the only two seasons in which Michael Penix Jr. appeared in a majority of games for the Hoosiers. It’s incredible how one player can change the trajectory of a program, isn’t it?
Reviving a Flailing Program
In the years before Penix found stardom at Washington and became a first-round NFL Draft pick, he helped lead a flailing Indiana program back to relevance in the Big Ten and gave Hoosiers fans something to believe in. Indiana won a combined 14 games in 2019 and 2020, but earned just nine wins in the three seasons that followed. The contrast is stark, showcasing how vital Penix was to the team’s success.
The end of Penix’s time in Bloomington wasn’t as simple as a quarterback moving on to bigger and better things, like many do. Injuries ravaged his stint with the Hoosiers, ending all four of his seasons prematurely. Yet, through it all, Penix’s resilience and determination shone brightly.
A Fresh Start in Washington
Penix got a fresh start under Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, who was his offensive coordinator when Indiana won eight games in 2019. The Tampa native was able to push injury concerns aside to become a star. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2023 and took the Huskies to the national championship game before being selected No. 8 overall by the Falcons in April. What a remarkable journey!
While Penix was expected to sit behind Kirk Cousins indefinitely in Atlanta, Cousins’ recent struggles forced the Falcons’ hand. Penix is now the franchise’s new starting quarterback in the thick of a playoff race, instantly putting the rookie in the spotlight. Can you imagine the pressure? Yet, he seems ready for the challenge.
Michael Penix Jr.’s Injury History
To truly appreciate Penix’s journey, we must look back at his injury history, which has been a rollercoaster ride.
— 2018: Penix appeared in three games as a true freshman before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in October. He didn’t make a start and threw only 34 passes, but he was splitting time with Peyton Ramsey in a competitive game against Penn State when he went down. Fortunately, the injury happened early enough in the season, allowing Penix to focus on a full recovery ahead of the 2019 season.
— 2019: The following year, Penix dislocated the SC joint in his non-throwing shoulder in November, which cut his season short. Before the injury, he had made a remarkable comeback, earning the Hoosiers’ starting job as a redshirt freshman despite spending most of the offseason recovering from that torn ACL. Indiana was 7-2 when Penix went down in a win over Northwestern, already the program’s highest win total since 2007. However, the Hoosiers struggled without him, suffering losses to Penn State and Michigan, along with a Gator Bowl defeat to Tennessee.
— 2020: The COVID-shortened season, which nearly didn’t happen for Big Ten schools, turned out to be a dream season for Indiana. With Penix at the helm, the Hoosiers climbed as high as No. 7 in the AP poll, achieving wins over both Penn State and Michigan. Penix threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Wolverines and gave Ohio State a scare with 491 yards and five touchdowns in a close loss. However, his season ended abruptly when he re-tore his ACL against Maryland, missing the chance to compete in the Outback Bowl against Ole Miss.
— 2021: By the time 2021 rolled around, injuries were starting to take a toll on Penix’s mental health. He openly shared his struggles, revealing that there were days he would lie on the floor, praying for protection before games. “There were a lot of tears,” he admitted. His 2021 season ended after just five games when he suffered a dislocated joint in his throwing shoulder. At that point, Penix had thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, and Indiana finished winless in Big Ten play.
Resilience and Triumph
Despite the setbacks, Penix’s desire to play never disappeared. He revealed earlier this year that he wasn’t medically cleared from his second ACL tear before playing against Iowa in 2021. The doctor who performed his surgery couldn’t formally clear him but said he couldn’t stop him from playing. Penix took the risk, and while he suffered the shoulder injury the following month, his leg held up better than expected.
In two years at Washington, Penix made every start and transformed into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, leading the Huskies to the national championship. His journey is nothing short of inspiring, showcasing the power of perseverance and determination.
Now, after sitting behind Cousins for the first 14 games of his rookie season, Penix has his long-awaited opportunity to be an NFL starter right in the middle of a playoff race for the Falcons. Will he rise to the occasion? One thing is for sure: the football world will be watching closely as this young star steps into the spotlight.
