Mueller: How Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy compare as NFL prospects ahead of CFP final

The only thing missing from Monday’s matchup for college football supremacy is the pristine Rose Bowl venue. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy are both so talented, and yet, they could not be more different. Skill sets Tale of the tape: Penix vs. McCarthy Name Michael Penix Jr. J.J. McCarthy School Washington Michigan Year 6th-yr sr. Jr. Age 23 20 2023 stats Att/comp 336/504 230/314 Comp % 66.7 73.2 Passing yds 4,648 2,851 Yds/att 9.2 9.1 TD passes 35 22 INTs 9 4 Career stats Starts 44 27 Record 37-7 26-1 Att/comp 1,040/1,634 472/695 Comp % 63.6 67.9 Passing yds 13,486 6,086 Yds/att 8.3 8.8 TD passes 95 49 INTs 32 11 Penix operates very comfortably from the pocket. GO DEEPER Ten NFL Draft prospects to watch in bowl games: J.J. McCarthy's big opportunity Factoring schemes and responsibilities Penix is a sixth-year player who spent his first four seasons at Indiana, all of which ended with injuries, before following Kalen DeBoer — the former Hoosiers offensive coordinator who is now the Huskies’ head coach — to Washington via the transfer portal. GO DEEPER In Will Johnson vs. Michael Penix Jr., CFP title game delivers classic matchup “The Football 100,” the definitive ranking of the NFL’s best 100 players of all time, is on sale now.