Washington football: Michael Penix Jr. comes in 2nd in Heisman Trophy Voting

Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. comes in second the 2023 Heisman Trophy Voting.

Michael Penix Jr. stood among the top four contenders at the Heisman Trophy Ceremony, a testament to his remarkable college football resurgence.

Penix’s career had been marred by a series of four devastating season-ending injuries in a row during his tenure with the Indiana Hoosiers. Facing the possibility of retirement, Penix made a pivotal decision to join the Huskies at Washington, a move that would redefine his career.

Upon his arrival at Washington, Penix experienced a transformative shift. Under the guidance of Kalen DeBoer, the new head coach at UW and Penix’s former offensive coordinator and quarterback coach during their time at Indiana in 2019, Penix’s potential began to flourish. His impactful performance on the field earned him nationwide recognition, culminating in a prestigious spot as one of the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy.

In a sweet nod of recognition to his team who has gone 13-0 this season, he had the names of every teammate and coach on the inside of jacket at the ceremony.

While Penix unfortunately did not win the Heisman, he second place in the Heisman Trophy voting with 1,701 points, Penix’s aspirations for individual accolades didn’t overshadow his ultimate goal. His eyes remain firmly set on the grand prize—a National Championship.

The path to this coveted title presents a challenge, as the Huskies are poised to clash with No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl on January 1.

Victory in this pivotal match would propel Penix and the Huskies into the championship game, providing a platform for Penix to further solidify his legacy and showcase his remarkable resurgence in collegiate football.