The Indiana coaching staff has no concerns about redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Penix’s knee.
And they have no doubt about his arm.
IU head coach Tom Allen named Penix the starting quarterback for the 2019 season on Monday morning following a competitive three-way battle for the job at the team’s fall camp. Indiana will open the season on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis against Ball State.
The Tampa, Fla. native won the job over last year’s starter Peyton Ramsey along with fellow redshirt freshman Jack Tuttle.
Penix appeared as though he may have won the job mid-season in 2018 as he stepped in against Penn State on October 20. After going 9-for-19 through the air for 94 yards along with 24 rushing yards that day, Penix suffered a season ending torn ACL.
For the 2018 season, Penix went 21-of-34 (61.8 percent) for 219 yards with one touchdown in the three games.
By only appearing in three games, the 6-foot-3 Penix was able to redshirt the 2018 season under the NCAA’s new rules implemented last year.
Penix was a highly regarded recruit out of Tampa Bay Tech High School where the left-hander threw 61 touchdowns and just six interceptions in his two years as a starter.
The Hillsborough County Player of the Year as a senior chose IU over Florida State and South Florida. He had previously committed to Tennessee before re-opening his recruitment.
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