2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 9 Days Part II (Michael Penix Jr.)

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff is in its final stages! Just over one week remains until Indiana’s first game of the season against Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. The number nine jersey should prove to be quite important this season, and today we’ll highlight the two men donning it: Michael Penix Jr and Marcelino McCrary-Ball.

Michael Penix Jr (Redshirt Junior)

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 218 Pounds

Position: Quarterback 

Indiana will enter the season with its highest expectations in half a century, and much of that can be attributed to the play of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Penix will enter his fourth season with the Hoosiers and owns a 10-2 record as a starter. He is currently second in Indiana’s career completion percentage (61.6) and sixth in 300-yard passing games (300). Whether he was diving for the pylon to upset Penn State in the season opener, torching Ohio State’s secondary for 491 yards and five touchdowns on the road, or anything in between, Penix electrified all of college football last season. The only concern? His health. Penix has suffered season-ending injuries in all three of his collegiate seasons. The good news is he expects to be fully healthy for the beginning of this season.

"As far as the knee, I feel good,” said Penix. “I feel like I'm ready to play. Come Sept. 4, I will be 100 percent ready with no concerns."

Last weekend during the team’s scrimmage, Penix got his first semi-live action since tearing his ACL against Maryland. While injury recovery was his primary focus, this did not slow his offseason training as a quarterback. Penix spent a weekend at Manning Passing Academy with Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, time with quarterback gurus Sean McEvoy and Quincy Avery, and numerous clips have bounced around social media of him training with his own quarterback coach in Florida. Penix has always had a cannon of an arm – but this offseason he has focused on improving his touch and bettering his accuracy.

“I can make any throw in the pocket,” said Penix. “It's just working on some out-of-the-pocket stuff on the run. Coming off the injury, making sure I can still go on the run, plant, set up when I have to. Stuff like that. I've definitely been working on that this offseason, just making sure I stay sound.”

With a healthy Penix, the sky is the limit for this Indiana football team. With Jack Tuttle backing him up, the floor stays relatively high for the Hoosiers – but with a full season of Penix under center, the ceiling is higher than it has been in years.