Rome Odunze raves about Michael Penix Jr. ahead of draft

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze didn't know as of Thursday morning when either he or quarterback and college teammate Michael Penix Jr. would be selected during the 2024 NFL Draft. 

During a chat with Steve Serby of the New York Post, Odunze campaigned for a team to make Penix a first-round choice. 

"I think what makes him him is his talent," Odunze said about Penix. "His ability to throw the ball I think is second to none, his ability to command a team and create problems for defenses like no other. I think he’s been able to do it through so much perseverance, through being drug through the mud and through injuries as well — which shows his grit, shows his heart, which he commented on recently."

Penix's draft stock was a moving target from the national championship game loss to Michigan on Jan. 8 through Thursday afternoon. Earlier this week, he addressed concerns related to the fact that he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament twice and suffered injuries to both shoulders over four college seasons. While he missed no significant time because of injuries across the past two years, it's assumed some NFL teams stopped thinking about making him a first-round selection well before Thursday. 

"But as well as his on-field play, who he is as a person and the leader that he is is very inspiring and very contagious," Odunze added about Penix. "So, any team that gets him is gonna be lucky, and I think it should be very soon come Thursday." 

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Las Vegas Raiders, which has been linked with Penix, as the betting favorite at +100 odds to select the Washington quarterback. Some suggested as recently as Wednesday that Penix could become a top-eight pick on Thursday night, but others believed for weeks that he'd have to wait until Friday to hear his name called. 

Penix wasn't lacking confidence heading into the unofficial start of his pro career, as he told TMZ Sports this week he felt he should be taken in the first 10 picks of the draft.