2022 NFL Draft: 5 Big Ten players to keep an eye on in 2021
By Kyle Edmond
2022 NFL Draft Prospect: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Indiana
Indiana football was a bit of a surprise last season, being one of five teams in the Big Ten to post a winning record while being 6-1 in conference play. A big part of that success stemmed from dual-threat Michael Penix Jr.
While Penix didn’t exactly have stats that jumped off the page, he did put together a season that could fit into a new modern NFL QB. He’s shown that he can throw and run while limiting turnovers. As the league transitions to more mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks with Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Taysom Hill, Penix could see more value than expected in the 2022 NFL Draft just purely on his versatility.
Over two seasons at Indiana, Penix has 12 games under his belt, combining to be a typical college season. In those two seasons combined, he’s thrown for 3,039 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions. As for on the ground, he’s totaled 144 yards the last two years combined while adding another four touchdowns to his stat line.
The low yards show that he is a throw-first quarterback, but possesses the ability to escape when needed. This is the type of quarterback that teams are looking for now. If he can put together a complete season in 2021, that could really boost his draft stock and make him a solid day two selection at the least.