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CBS Sports names Michael Penix Jr. most impactful transfer of portal era

Penix’s peak at Indiana was brief, but very impactful.
ByDonovan James|
Nov 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) is seen out with the team during warms up before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Nov 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) is seen out with the team during warms up before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

More than 4,000 players entered the portal during the 2024-25 cycle, but only a select few will make a major impact in their individual career and the programs history. Six of the past seven Heisman winners were transfers, including Travis Hunter, Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.

CBS Sports' college football analyst Cody Nagel named former Indiana Hoosiers and Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr the most impactful transfer of the transfer portal era.

Penix’s peak at Indiana was brief, but very impactful. At Indiana he 6-foot-2, 218-pound QB threw for 4,197 yards with 35 total touchdowns and 15 interceptions in four injury ridden (torn acls) seasons at Indiana, appearing in just 20 of 45 games.

NEVER FORGET!

At Washington, Penix Jr went 25-3 in his two year career in Seattle and he ranks No. 3 all-time in passing yards (9,544) and touchdowns (67).

Here's what Cody Nagel stated about the impact of Penix Jr to Washington:

This might be an unpopular opinion, but Penix deserves more recognition among elite transfer quarterbacks, which is why he is No. 1 on this list. After reuniting with Kalen DeBoer, his former coordinator at Indiana, Penix led Washington to a national championship game appearance at the end of the 2023 season. He topped the nation in passing yards (4,903) and attempts (555), ranked third in touchdowns (36) and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. During Penix's two-year tenure as starter, Washington lost just three games -- its fewest in any two-year stretch since the 1991 national championship season.

Penix's rise to success and stardom, included three victories over Oregon, two wins over Texas, including the program's first College Football Playoff victory in the Sugar Bowl, and a trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, where he became the highest finisher in school history as the runner-up behind Jayden Daniels of LSU.

In 2024, Penix Jr was the No. 8 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons. Penix is entering his second season in Atlanta and is officially the starting quarterback, for a franchise in thirst for a Pro Bowl quarterback.

Kirk Cousins started the majority of the season but Penix Jr finished the season with promise. In the final three games of the season, Penix competed 58 of his 100 pass attempts for 737 yards, with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also carried the ball seven times for 11 yards and a touchdown.

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