UW Spring Preview: Husky QB Position Has Never Been Healthier

Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for Michael Penix Jr. during the 2022 University of Washington football season.

It marked the number of games he survived intact without something in his shoulder, collarbone or knee giving way.

Previously at Indiana over four seasons, Penix was unable to survive six outings without some sort of physical misfortune sending him to a surgeon and forcing him to watch the end of the schedule and any bowl games play out.

To their credit, the Huskies made protecting their prized left-handed quarterback from Tampa, Florida, by way of the Big Ten high priority and will attempt to keep him out of harm's way once more in order to fully take advantage of his elite football talents and send him on to a beckoning NFL career.

Of course, none of this will be easy — because the UW has a well-documented history of its high-level quarterbacks experiencing enormous success and suffering some sort of physical setback in trying to replicate it.

In 1950, All-America quarterback Don Heinrich directed the Huskies to a Rose Bowl near-miss, more specifically an 8-2 season held down only by a pair of one-score losses, same as Penix this past season. In the following fall camp, Heinrich suffered a broken collarbone when a rambunctious sub got carried away and ran into him during practice, and he sat out that season.

In 1959, All-America quarterback Bob Schloredt directed the Huskies to a 10-1 record capped by a Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin. The following season, this two-way player had his collarbone snap when he made a tackle against UCLA and he was done until the postseason.

In 1972, Sonny Sixkiller came off a pair of sensational seasons ready to take a veteran UW team to the Rose Bowl and a top 10 finish only to suffer a shoulder injury that sat him down for half a season.

The only highly productive Husky QB who stayed healthy throughout his peak moments was Jake Browning, yet he didn't get the ultimate payoff, losing to Alabama, Penn State and Ohio State to finish off otherwise positive seasons through 2018.

Knowing all of this, "Protect Penix" has to remain the staunch Husky battle cry at all times for 2023.

Coach Kalen DeBoer and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. have worked together at Indiana and Washington, and formed a successful duo.

Dylan Morris has gone from redshirt to two-year starter and now two-year backup to Michael Penix Jr., with the hope he'll have a chance to start again in 2024.

Austin Mack, the Northern California recruit, has signed to reclassify his high school status and report to the Huskies in the fall.

Seattle's Alex Johnson has gone from Bishop Blanchet High School to the Santa Barbara City College and now to the UW as a walk-on.

Teddy Purcell, like the others at his position, enjoys being around Michael Penix Jr., who's both a standout and a good teammate.

Camdyn Stiegeler enters his second season in the UW program after walking on from Oregon City, Oregon.

Tyson Lang comes to the UW from Snohomish, north of Seattle, and is known for his car-racing abilities as much as playing behind center.

He emerges from a glorious UW football season in which he led the nation in passing yards per game (357) and helped guide the Huskies to stirring victories over Michigan State, Oregon and Texas, all ranked teams at the time. He and his teammates came within 15 points of going unbeaten.

The 6-foot-3, 216-pound Penix, if he can stay healthy again, has a legitimate chance to enjoy as many of college football's rewards as possible. A key date for him is Nov. 4, when he goes head to head with USC's Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, in Los Angeles.

Behind Penix, of course, is the experienced but much-maligned Dylan Morris, who, according to UW offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, has greatly advanced his game while standing in the pocket after leading the Pac-12 in interceptions with 12 in 2021.

No offense to the 6-foot, 202-pound Morris, previously a two-season starter, but the Huskies will want Penix on the field at all times this season to reach ultimate heights. They would prefer Morris wait until 2024 to begin his comeback tour.

Behind them will be freshman quarterback Austin Mack, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound elite prospect from Folsom, California, who arrives in the fall as a reclassified player ready to learn on the job from the veterans.

UW coach Kalen DeBoer has suggested his staff possibly will seek yet another quarterback as a stopgap on the depth chart, though walk-on Alex Johnson, at 6-foot-5, 220-pounder from Santa Barbara City College, will try to show he belongs.

The Husky quarterback situation, should everyone stay healthy this coming season, has never been better, beginning at the top with Penix. It's a matter of just keeping him protected and healthy one more time.

UW SCHOLARSHIP QBS

Michael Penix Jr., 6-3, 216, Sr., played in 33 games, 30 starts (20 and 17 at Indiana), 2022 All-Pac-12 second team, 2020 All-Big Ten second team.

Dylan Morris, 6-0, 206, Jr., played in 22 games, 15 starts, 2020 All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

Austin Mack, 6-6, 210, Fr., ready to debut

UW WALK-ON QBS

Alex Johnson, 6-5, 220, Jr.

Teddy Purcell, 6-1, 184, So.,

Camdyn Stiegeler, 6-3, 213, R-Fr.

Tyson Lang, 6-1, 202, So.

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