Michael Penix Jr. had a stellar time in Seattle with the Washington Huskies, but that time is unfortunately up. He’s off to the NFL and the Huskies are now breaking in a brand new transfer quarterback. As the Washington Huskies get set to start the 2024 season against Weber State, Will Rogers is getting a fair bit of attention.
With the release of the 2024 season opener depth chart for the Huskies’ upcoming game against the Weber State Wildcats, Jedd Fisch and the Huskies made it clear that Rogers was set to be the season opener starter for Washington at quarterback.
Rogers, a senior (and very experienced) transfer from Mississippi State earned the starting spot in Seattle. He has certainly shown that he can compete against rigorous defenses as he set numerous records for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and it’s important to remember that MSU competes in the SEC.
There’s some talent in that conference.
Can't wait to see you at the #GreatestSetting THIS SATURDAY, Husky Nation! #GoHuskies x @UW_Football pic.twitter.com/3WN5IAjOD0
— Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) August 27, 2024
Washington Huskies set to have Will Rogers start at QB during season opener
Rogers arrived at Washington having thrown for over 12,000 passing yards and totalling 94 passing touchdowns. Now, he played (for the most part) in Mike Leach’s Air Raid and he was a high volume passing machine with Leach.
Rogers did struggle a bit following Leach’s death and when the Bulldogs tried to move forward with Zach Arnett’s vision for what the team identity should be.
But, it’s probably fair to guess that there’s a more unified vision for what the offense should be with this coaching staff in Seattle as opposed to what Rogers left in Starkville given that Brennan Carroll and Fisch have worked together for a few years now.
Arnett had to hastily hire a coaching staff and he hired several assistants before picking up an offensive coordinator in Kevin Barbay. Things just never really clicked for anyone last season at MSU.
And now Rogers gets a shot at a fresh start. He gets a shot at showing he can play in an offense that is other than the Air Raid he’s more than familiar with. And he can now prove that he deserves a shot at the next level.
A lot has changed for Rogers in recent years. Washington Husky football fans can sympathize (and even empathize a little bit) with their new starting quarterback.