A night after taking home the Maxwell Award for college footballs best player, Michael Penix Jr. came in second in 2023 Heisman voting. Penix finished second to LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

By a large margin Penix finished ahead of Bo Nix and every other player in college football. The Huskies quarterback returned to Washington after an 11-2 season in 2022 and was billed early as a Heisman candidate.

In the 2023 season Penix led the Huskies to the first 13-0 season in Pac-12 history, becoming the first team from the conference to go undefeated since 2004, and only the second Washington team ever.

Penix put up incredible numbers  leading the nation with 4,218 passing yards, and finishing third with 33 touchdowns. The Huskies had an impressive schedule, going 4-0 against ranked opponents, and delivering wins that would knock USC and Utah outside the top-25, they also defeated Mountain West Champs Boise State.

Penix will now have an opportunity to show the voters what he missed out on as he will be the only finalist playing in a playoff game. The Huskies will face off against the Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st.