Washington’s Dillon Johnson Touts Michael Penix Jr. for Heisman Trophy

The Huskies running back believes college football’s most coveted award should belong to his quarterback.

Michael Penix Jr. built a stronger case for himself to win this year’s Heisman Trophy after his victorious performance in Washington’s thrilling 34-31 win over Oregon in Friday’s Pac-12 championship game in Las Vegas.

Penix completed 27 of 39 passes for 319 yards with one interception and the game-sealing touchdown to tight end Quentin Moore in the fourth quarter of Friday’s contest. After Penix helped Washington cement its College Football Playoff status and outdueling Ducks quarterback Bo Nix twice this season, Huskies running back Dillon Johnson believes this year’s Heisman Trophy belongs to Penix.

“Absolutely, [this is a Heisman moment],” Johnson said after finishing with a game-high 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns. “They need to go on and give my boy the Heisman, man. We’re waiting on it at the house.”

Dillon Johnson says that Heisman trophy is waiting at the house😂 pic.twitter.com/XzsG7Z3bmy

— Alyssa Charlston (@Alyssacharlston) December 2, 2023

Penix is in the Heisman mix with Nix, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Florida State’s Jordan Travis for college football’s most coveted individual award. After Friday’s performance, the Washington signal-caller likely took a step forward in the Heisman race.

This season, Penix has thrown for 4,218 yards with 33 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions while guiding Washington to a 13–0 season and a probable spot in the College Football Playoff.