Yahoo Sports 2024 NFL Draft: How old is Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Penix Jr.?
The NFL Draft is known for its shocking picks and unexpected decisions. However, no one could have expected the Atlanta Falcons, fresh off adding former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to their team, to draft Washington Huskies quarterback and 2023 Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. There were people who anticipated Penix to fall out of the first round entirely. Instead, he was drafted in the top 10.
That was the first big "WHOA" moment of the 2024 draft. Falcons' fans were flustered and didn't know too much about Penix considering the fact that no one expected Penix to wind up in Atlanta. Well, the most shocking thing Falcons' fans will discover about Penix is his age.
NFL draft picks 2024: Tracker, analysis for every selection in first round
How old is Michael Penix Jr.?
Penix played in parts of six different college football seasons (four with Indiana, two with Washington). He will turn 24 on May 8, 2024, making him the seond-oldest quarterback of any of the six drafted in the first round of the draft -- Bo Nix (turned 24 on February 25).
Penix suffered multiple serious injuries during his college career, including two separate right ACL tears. He also fractured his collarbone in 2019. Those injuries played a massive role in Penix playing in college for so long, and it may have also played a factor in why so many people anticipated Penix to fall out of the first round entirely.
How old is Kirk Cousins?
Despite Kirk Cousins joining the Atlanta Falcons less than two months, the team has already picked his replacement. Cousins signed a four-year deal worth up to $180 million in March. However, he is coming off a torn Achilles and perhaps that was enough of a deterrent for the Falcons to want to hedge their bets by drafting Penix.
Cousins' age likely also played a factor. The former Commander and Viking will be 36 years old on August 19.
What were Michael Penix's college stats?
In 2023, Penix stunned college football fans, throwing for 4903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He was a big reason the Huskies reached the national championship game before losing to the Michigan Wolverines.
2024 NFL Draft schedule
Thursday, April 25: Round 1 started at 8 p.m. ET
Friday, April 26: Round 2 and Round 3 start at 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 27: Round 4 - Round 7 starts at 12 p.m. ET
NFL draft order 2024: Where every team picks over seven rounds, 257 picks
How to watch the 2024 NFL Draft
TV channels: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Streaming: ESPN+, NFL+, Fubo (free trial)
How to watch: Catch the NFL Draft with an ESPN+ subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael Penix Jr. age: How old is Atlanta Falcons' new quarterback
