Tracking the QBs Seahawks should take in 2023 NFL draft: Week 11

Tier 2 (Potential day 2 picks, but with a big bowl win, or loss, could see their stock fluctuate dramatically)

Number 6: Hendon Hooker

NFL Comp: Less mobile Lamar

The Heisman-hopeful quarterback from Tennessee rebounded from a brutal showing at Georgia, by dropping a 60 bomb on Missouri. The stats show a fantastic QB, but the systematic ease of the offense, combined with how bad things went against an elite team in Georgia, have me mixed with feelings about him.

He can make every throw, but he has rarely been challenged schematically and by his opponents. I personally think that Tennessee may still end up in the CFP, and might get a second chance against Georgia. A great game and Hooker could shoot up the boards. Another poor performance and I think he’ll fall to the 3rd round.

Number 5: Michael Penix Jr.

NFL Comp: Geno Smith

Is there a quarterback in college football that makes more gutsy throws on a consistent basis than Penix? Big Penix Energy has the Dawgs howling after a program-altering win has Washington thinking about the Pac-12 Championship, while Penix is thinking about trying to get his name called in the first round of the draft.

Injuries have destroyed his college career, but this Seattle renaissance has been incredible to watch. All season long, Penix has carried Washington to big numbers, and even bigger wins. In their epic come-from-behind win to eliminate Oregon from the CFP, Penix went off. He tossed for 408 yards, with 300 of that in a second half in which Penix was making difficult NFL throws over and over again.

The Huskies suddenly find themselves looking at a potential Rose Bowl or Cotton Bowl berth, and an appearance in either of those games could continue the Penix ascension. If Geno is locked up, I truly think he’d be a fantastic apprentice to Geno Smith.