Heisman Trophy watch 2023: Top 5 candidates heading into Week 5

Yes, Michael Penix Jr. is the hottest player in college football right now.

The Washington gunslinger has been a saving grace for the Washington football program thanks to his relationship with second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer which brought him to Seattle. If DeBoer is never hired at Washington, Penix is torching defenses elsewhere and Husky fans are still looking for any semblance of an offense.

It’s hard to believe that Washington had one of the worst offenses in the Power Five just a couple of years ago, but that’s the kind of difference a head coaching change can make.

Penix was brought in prior to the 2022 season and all he’s done since is throw for over 6,000 yards and 47 touchdowns in just 17 games. That’s incredible.

And while he’s coming off his “worst” game of the season in which he passed for 304 yards and four touchdowns with a pick on 18-of-25 completions, he’s been dominant through four games.

Penix leads the nation in passing yards and touchdowns while also possessing the nation’s top QBR, a 75 percent completion rate, and an incredible 11.9 yards per attempt average.

Caleb Williams is going to have a tough time beating Penix out.