Heisman Runner-Up Penix Jr. Talks NIL and College Football Playoff
No. 2-ranked Washington Huskies' quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a senior season for the records books, both on and off the field.
From the undefeated Pac-12 Championship regular season to the individual accolades - Maxwell Award Winner, numerous All-American inclusions and a runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy - Penix has been a shining example of how the transfer portal can change an athlete's career trajectory.
The former Indiana transfer is less than a week from his College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl matchup versus No. 3 Texas and spoke to Sports Illustrated about his historic season and NIL experiences.
This year, Penix Jr. has been featured in a national marketing campaign for CELSIUS - alongside Bo Nix of Oregon, Blake Corum of Michigan and Travis Hunter of Colorado - that has aired on TV during the biggest games and will continue throughout bowl season.
"NIL has been amazing for all college athletes," Penix told Sports Illustrated. "It's something that's been talked about for a while. College athletes should get paid for the amount of work they do and how they perform on the field. It's been great and has provided me a lot of opportunities to partner with brands like Celsius and get in contact with these big-time companies. It's been a blessing not just for me but for everyone around me."
"It's amazing to be able to work with CELSIUS," Penix added. "They've been a big part for me on and off the field, helping me sustain better-for-you energy, waking me up all the time. It gives me the energy I need to be able to come out and perform each and every day on the field."
Penix certainly performed this season, finishing with a nation-leading 4,218 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions.
However, sharing the screen with a Pac-12 and Heisman rival in Nix, a potential CFP Championship Game foe in Corum might prove awkward for some, but Penix reveled in it.
"It means a lot," said Penix. "They (Nix, Corum and Hunter) are great people and great athletes. To be able to be in that partnership with high class people and athletes like that - it's special to be a part of that."
Outside of his CELSIUS collaboration, the Huskies signal caller's NIL portfolio has taken a huge step this season. He made history earlier this season becoming the first college football player - alongside teammate Rome Odunze - to sign a NIL deal with adidas, Washington's footwear and apparel sponsor. Additional partnerships include Raising Cane's, Montlake Futures, Husky Throwbacks and Simply Seattle, among others. During the holiday season, Penix partnered with Seattle-based Amazon to give back to fans.
But with all eyes his New Year's Day date with the Longhorns, football is the focus right now and Penix cannot wait to get back on the field.
"I am super excited," Penix added. "It's a blessing to be in the position that my team is in. We just have more work to do."
The work begins on January 1 on 8:30PM ET on ESPN.
