Report: Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. Entering Transfer Portal

Penix helped lift Indiana from the ashes since arriving to Bloomington in 2018.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Dec 6, 2021 2:20 PM EST

CINCINNATI — Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is entering the transfer portal to spend his final year of college eligibility elsewhere.

Oft-injured, Penix never finished a full season at Indiana, but he was the biggest reason they rose up the ranks during his time there.

"I talked to Coach (Tom) Allen about it, and it's my decision,'' Penix told Hoosiers Now. "Look, I'm a Hoosier, and I'll always be a Hoosier. I'm graduating in May, and I have loved everything about playing for Coach Allen and being a part of this team. These are my brothers. But I just want a new start, a new beginning. I want to finish my college career the best way possible, and I think I need to do that somewhere else.''

Penix separated his AC joint in early October, ending his season, but when healthy, the senior is one of the better quarterbacks in the country. Pro Football Focus pegged him as their fifth-best returning college quarterback after spending an entire career under pressure. He posted an 82.9 PFF Grade in 2020 while being under pressure at the fifth-highest rate in the country.

Penix could be a Day One starter for the Bearcats as long as he's healthy. Incoming starter Evan Prater is a complete unknown who hasn't exactly blown away evaluators in limited action this season.

The Wyoming High School product won Ohio's Mr. Football in 2019 and redshirted in 2020. He finished this season 5-of-11 passing for 38 yards and two touchdowns. the redshirt freshman added 12 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns with his legs.

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