adidas Launches Final Penix Jr. Hype Video Ahead of Heisman Trophy
After making history earlier this season as the first college football player to sign a NIL deal with adidas - alongside teammate Rome Odunze - Washington quarterback and Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. continues to garner social media support from his footwear sponsor.
Ahead of tonight's ceremony, adidas released yet another hype video promoting the Huskies' signal caller. Prior to the Heisman Trophy finalist announcements last week, the brand with the three stripes launched a Penix Jr. video narrated by legendary sports broadcaster Kenny Mayne, a Washington-native himself.
The Maxwell Award winner faces Jayden Daniels of LSU, Bo Nix of Oregon and Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State tonight for the biggest individual award in college sports.
adidas partnered with the University of Washington in 2019 as their footwear and apparel sponsor, taking over a long-standing Nike relationship. Although Penix Jr. and Odunze are the first football players to sign with adidas, Huskies softball star Kinsey Fiedler became the first Washington student-athlete to sign a NIL partnership with the brand in 2022.
Penix Jr. spent part of his Heisman day making an appearance at adidas' New York City flagship store - like he did on Friday with another of his NIL partners, Raising Cane's - working the register and even paying for some fans' shopping.
When news broke earlier this season that Penix Jr. had partnered with adidas, he shared: “I couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with the adidas family, I’ve been in the three stripes my entire college career and their support has meant a lot to me. I’m excited about this unique opportunity to help further the brand and I’m appreciative of their investment in my university, my teammates, and myself. adidas has shown that they’re committed to student-athletes across the country and I’m thankful to be a part of their commitment.”
In addition to his individual stats highlighted in adidas' video - leading the nation in total passing yards and per game average as well - Penix Jr. quarterbacked the Huskies to a 13-0 record, a Pac-12 Championship, No. 2 ranking and a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Texas on January 1.
