Christmas on the shores of Lake Washington arrived three weeks early as Michael Penix announced that he would be returning to Washington for the 2023 football season.  His return should thrust the Washington Huskies into the role of a contender for the national championship next season.

In reality the Huskies are a play away from being playing for the Pac-12 Conference championship and a shot at a national title this year.

Defensively the Huskies will lose a few key contributors like rush end Jeremiah Martin, defensive backs Jordan Perryman and Alex Cook, and linebackers Cam Bright and Kris Moll.  However, expect that Huskies, by virtue of announcing the return of Penix being made the day before Transfer Portal opens, will make Montlake a very attractive destination for key components of Washington’s defense next season.

“By Penix announcing his return it gives Washington jump start to building for next season in the Transfer Portal,” RealDawg.com’s Trevor Mueller.  “In fact, this type of an announcement on the eve of the Transfer Portal may become the new norm for college football as NIL money will be a factor in retaining top players.”

Penix hadn’t received an official draft grade from NFL Draft evaluators but was likely compelled to make the announcement as the Huskies make a concerted push to make a run at a national title next season.

Will Penix’s return induce Washington’s top 2 receivers, Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan?  Time will tell, but Mueller said that the Huskies will likely be working on that in the coming weeks.

“Penix’s decision will make Washington very marketable nationally next season,” Mueller noted.  “This season most of the East Coast was sound asleep when Penix was dropping dimes to Taj Davis and Ja’Lynn Polk in Washington’s upset over Oregon.  Next season that shouldn’t be the case.”

RealDawg spoke with 4-star Washington receiver commit Rashid Williams about Penix’s return and needless to say he’s excited.