Ever since Michael Penix Jr. transferred to Washington from Indiana, it felt like he was the favorite to be named the starter, but on Monday, head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made it official.

“He’s just had a really great camp, and he’s been consistent from the time that spring ball started to where he’s at now,” DeBoer said following practice on Tuesday. “He’s done a great job earning it. I’m excited for him to get those extra reps now, and build that chemistry with the group. I think he can take that next level of leadership now.”

DeBoer went on to say that Dylan Morris, who he said will begin the year as the backup quarterback, and Sam Huard are “different guys.” Grubb said later that especially Huard is “light years” ahead of where he was in the spring, and that the battle for the backup spot was very tight.

So what led to the decision to name Penix as the starter? Grubb said it was his “control of the offense and his confidence, he had a good grasp [of the playbook] when he got here and he continued to improve his command. He just continued to develop in that regard, and he can make some plays with his legs.” He added that his knowledge of DeBoer’s playbook from their time together at Indiana definitely played a factor, and the familiarity “definitely gave him a leg up.”

When asked about being named the starter, Penix called it “a blessing.” He went on to say, “There’s a lot of hard work that was put into it. I had to come out here and work, and gain the trust of this team being the new guy coming in in January.”

So where will the offense go under Penix? He says that they’re “moving in the right direction. And when the time comes, we’re going to be ready.”