Former IU quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was the first big surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Penix was selected with the eighth overall pick Thursday by the Atlanta Falcons, who just signed Kirk Cousins in free agency in March. This was higher than most mock drafts projected Penix to go, though some had him going a few picks later.
No Hoosiers have been taken in the first round since wide receiver Thomas Lewis was taken No. 24 overall by the New York Giants in 1994. The last IU player to go in the top 10 was tackle Eric Moore, taken No. 10 overall by the Giants in 1988. The Giants also made the most recent selection of any IU player — Micah McMadden in the fifth round in 2022.
Penix excelled at Indiana in 2019 and 2020, helping the Hoosiers go 14-7 in those seasons. He led the Big Ten in 2020 with 274.2 passing yards per game. He transferred to Washington ahead of the 2022 season, and he led the Huskies to the national championship game in 2023.
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