With poise and precision, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. picked apart opponents the past two seasons with his golden left arm. 

As the Huskies seasoned signal caller, Penix Jr., was the runnerup for the Heisman Trophy while leading the program to a berth in the National Championship game.  

Along the way, the former Pasco and Tampa Bay Tech standout made history, becoming the first bay area quarterback to finish as a Heisman runnerup.

Tonight, he joined an exclusive list for local signal callers.

In a draft day stunner, Penix Jr. was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick, the first time an area quarterback has been taken in the first round since Robinson’s John Reaves in 1972.

Penix Jr. (photos courtesy of JJ Battle/Battle Tested Photography) spent the offseason trying to convince doubters that he was worthy of going in the first round, even penning an article in the Player’s Tribune stating his case.

His numbers back up his claim.

While most are fixated on Penix Jr.’s beautiful bombs, many gloss over another stat – his win-loss record. 

Since becoming a full-time starter at Tampa Bay Tech as a junior in 2016, Penix Jr.  is a combined 59-13 at the high school and college level. 

More than just a deep ball specialist, Penix Jr. also knows how to pull out victories. That stems from his other skills, such as determination, competitiveness, leadership and loyalty.  

Tight games. Tense moments. Missed opportunities. None of that fazes Penix Jr.

In 2016, Tampa Bay Tech was locked in a close playoff contest with St. Petersburg. Penix Jr. had a perfectly placed pass  dropped by a receiver that would have won the game in the final 10 seconds of regulation. 

No matter. Penix Jr. threw the winning touchdown pass in double overtime – to the same receiver who dropped the one in regulation.

Delivering in the clutch has been one of Penix Jr.’s trademarks. Of his 59 wins in the last seven years, 15 were decided by seven points or less, including a stretch of five straight this past year leading up to the national title game matchup. 

And the deep connections are not always associated with passes. Penix Jr. develops bonds with his teammates. When he started out at Pasco High as a freshman and sophomore, Penix Jr. took friends to camps, had them tag along on college campus visits and set them up on 7-on-7 teams in the offseason. 

During the Heisman trophy presentation, Penix Jr. showed his affection for the Huskies with his chosen attire. Stitched on the inside of his purple suit jacket were the names of each of his Washington teammates and coaches. 

He missed out on the Heisman Trophy and a national title.

Nevertheless, he hit his next target by becoming a first round selection.

And joined an exclusive club in doing so.