Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the first surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The selection comes less than two months after Atlanta signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract this offseason.
Penix Jr., the 2023 Heisman Trophy runner-up, led the Huskies to the national championship last season before falling to Michigan.
He will now team up with the likes of Bijan Robinson and Drake London to begin his professional career, although he will likely sit behind Cousins to start.
The 35-year-old former Vikings quarterback is guaranteed $100 million and also received a $50 million signing bonus from Atlanta.
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. #9 watches before the 2024 CFP National Championship
Penix Jr. looks to throw during the team’s NFL football pro day on Thursday, March 28.
Penix was projected to be a top-10 pick and wouldn’t hear his name called until Day 2. He wasn’t present at the draft in Detroit.
The quarterback, who turns 24 on May 8, has arguably the most natural arm talent in this year’s depth quarterback class, but his draft status is murky due to four injuries in four years.
After beginning his career at Indiana, Penix transferred to Washington, a 4-8 program when he signed ahead of the 2022 season.
He led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game this year and went 11-2 and 14-1 in his two seasons with Washington.
But before arriving in Seattle, he suffered two season-ending shoulder injuries and two ACL tears.
