The Biggest Star In The National Championship Hails From Tampa
When Washington takes the field next Monday night vs. Michigan, the college football championship game will feature a hometown star. That’s because the Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr., is a Tampa native.
Before arriving in Seattle, before playing four seasons for the University of Indiana, Penix Jr. was setting records at Tampa Bay Technical High School. Growing up, Penix Jr’s father was a high school coach in Dade City. Penix Sr. told SI.com‘s Hoosiers Now that, “His very first steps as a baby, they were actually in the end zone.’’
At Tampa Bay Technical, Penix Jr. threw for 4,243 yards and 61 touchdowns in just two seasons. “He was a high school sensation, the best player in the metro Tampa area that produces dozens of Division I athletes every year,” SI.com said. However, when it came to selecting a college program where he would take his talents, Penix Jr. had to leave the state. The Tampa Bay Times recently wondered how major in-state programs like USF, Florida State, and the Florida Gators let Penix Jr. get away. Especially when Penix Jr. decided to transfer two years ago.
One More To Go
Nonetheless, this season has been nothing short of amazing for #9. In addition to being a Heisman Trophy finalist, he has led the Huskies to one of the most historic seasons in school history. The team was a perfect 14-0. This included two nail-biting thrilling victories against PAC10 rivals Oregon and, of course, a win over Texas to make it to the championship game in Houston.
Although Penix Jr. is the biggest Tampa star of the championship game, he’s not the only player in the game from the area. Michigan edge rusher Jaylen Harrell is from Tampa (#32). The same holds true for offensive lineman and long-snapper James Kavouklis (#64).
Monday night will be the last game Penix Jr. plays in the college football world. He is expected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft this April. Although Baker Mayfield has played well this season, there are thoughts the Bucs may eventually want a new face of the franchise. Could Michael Penix Jr. return home to Tampa?
3 Potential NFL Draft Destinations For UNC's Drake Maye
On Wednesday, December 27, North Carolina will play their last game of the season in Charlotte (Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. West Virginia). With Drake Maye being one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, it’s time to take a look at three potential landing destinations for the star quarterback.
UNC is coming off a 8-4 record this season. Although his statistics were not as high as last year, Maye still had an incredible year, throwing for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns. At just 21 years old, Maye is the ideal size for a NFL quarterback, standing 6 foot 4.
2024 Draft Class
Many of the top players have still to officially declare for the draft. Yet, the expectation is that all the names we are seeing atop the mock draft boards will be moving up to the next level. There have been eyes on this year’s class for a few years now. That’s largely due to the generational quarterback pool.
USC’s Caleb Williams is a safe assumption to be the first overall pick. That’s where things can get tricky. The Carolina Panthers currently have the worst record at 1-11. However, due to last year’s trade, the Chicago Bears own their pick. Do the Bears need or want a QB? They just drafted Justin Fields. Of course, we still have the NFL combine, player pro days, and team meetings ahead of us. Much can change in that time. Still, I believe Maye will be the next quarterback taken after Williams.
To further emphasize how deep (and potentially special) this class is, three of the four Heisman Trophy finalists this season are quarterbacks. None of them are named Caleb Williams or Drake Maye (Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.)
Come April, we can see as many as 10 NFL teams in need of a new quarterback. Here are three NFL teams that have a good probability of selecting in the top five picks of the NFL draft, where Drake Maye will likely be taken.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.