Washington's Drew Fowler Declares for Job Market with LinkedIn Joke After CFB Career
Jan 3, 2025
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 05: Washington #54 (LB) Drew Fowler celebrates during a college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies on October 05, 2024, at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jesse Beals/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As the old NCAA commercials said, just about every student-athlete will be going pro in something other than sports.
That's the case for Washington linebacker Drew Fowler, but he gave himself an exit akin to a star declaring for the NFL draft with this send-off announcing that his LinkedIn is updated, and that he is #OpenToWork.
If you're a potential employer looking for a recent business school graduate, consider Fowler, whose LinkedIn can be found here. He's an Honors graduate from Washington's Foster School of Business who also got a Masters in Communication in Communities & Networks. Fowler has a few summer internships under his belt, most recently one with the Adobe Sales Academy in 2022.
"My experiences as both a student and athlete have made me comfortable in high stress situations, and have influenced my ability to adapt readily to changing environments, and to push myself to be the best I can be," Fowler writes in part. "I pride myself on personal discipline, empathy, and high performance in such situations."
As Fowler noted in his send-off, he's also "gritty, hardworking" and "sneaky athletic," as well as a "locker room guy" who "will bring my lunch pail to work." It's unclear whether he'll do so figuratively and literally, but Fowler seems like the type of person who will be a great asset to any organization regardless.
That organization doesn't appear to be the NFL (unless it's in an office setting), but the guess here is Fowler won't have to wait long or look hard for a new job after his viral post.
Video: Washington Announces World of Warcraft NIL Agreement for 2024 CFB Home Finale
Nov 12, 2024
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 26: A Washington helmet sits on the sideline during a college football game between the Washington Huskies and Indiana Hoosiers on October 26, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The University of Washington announced an NIL partnership with the role-playing game World of Warcraft ahead of its home football finale against UCLA on Friday night.
Friday night lights on Montlake...the Eclipse is coming 🌑
Per Michael Ehrlich of NIL Daily, Friday's game will see World of Warcraft characters running out onto the field with the Washington players. Students will also receive shirts commemorating the occasion.
"We are thrilled to unite interactive entertainment with the sports industry to celebrate 20 incredible years of World of Warcraft delighting millions of players worldwide," Blizzard Entertainment head of marketing Monica Austin said.
"Our teams have been working together to create incredible in-person and broadcast experiences for fans, and we hope Husky Nation and World of Warcraft players alike are excited to WoW down to Washington."
Washington's hopes of returning to the College Football Playoff ended a while ago, but the team still has plenty to play for in its final two games. At 5-5, the Huskies need one more win to become bowl-eligible. Should they fall to UCLA, a losing season becomes very likely considering they finish up on the road against No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 30.
ESPN College Gameday 2024: TV Schedule and Predictions for Week 9 Location
Erik Beaston
Oct 25, 2024
SEATTLE, WA - October 14: ESPN Gameday host Pat McAfee chuckles was at the University of Washington for the college football game between the University of Washington and the Oregon Ducks on October 14, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jesse Beals/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The crew from ESPN College Gameday rolls into Bloomington, Indiana for just the second time in the show's history Saturday for a showdown between the unbeaten No. 13 Hoosiers and the Washington Huskies.
It is just the second time that the Midwest school has played host to the ESPN crew, with the first coming back in the opening week of the 2017 season, when the home team squared off with Ohio State.
Bloomington, Indiana is hosting College GameDay this weekend..
Will the 7-0 Hoosiers improve their unbeaten record against the Huskies or will Washington spoil a momentous moment?
Date: Saturday, October 26
Time: 9:00 a.m.
TV: ESPN, ESPN U
Streaming: ESPN+
Crew: Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Stanford Steve
Guest Picker: Kyle Schwarber
Prediction: Indiana vs. Washington
The Huskies played in last year's national title game but this year's squad under new head coach Jedd Fisch looks nothing like that squad.
At 2-2 and coming off an abysmal, 40-16 loss to the typically offensively challenged Iowa Hawkeyes, they arrive hoping to play spoiler and ruin an unbeaten start to the season by the Hoosiers.
Curt Cignetti has his squad balling after a disappointing 3-9 season a year ago, with blowout wins against every opponent they have come across so far.
On paper, Indiana looks like the better team and should win Saturday's match-up.
In the immortal words of the great Corso, however, "not so fast!"
The Hoosiers' starting quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, will not play due to an injured thumb suffered a week ago against Nebraska. Backup signal-caller Tayven Jackson will start under center for the home team against a Washington defense allowing just 17 points per game.
How will @IndianaFootball look with a full game of Tayven Jackson at QB? ➡️ @Jbooty88 hits the Nebraska tape for a preview of his upcoming start under center. 📽️
Without Rourke, there is a certain level of uncertainty that exists for that Indiana Hoosiers offense and its ability to score enough, and not turn the ball over, to avoid an upset.
Still, Indiana is the better team, has momentum on its side, and will have a rabid fan base behind it in a jam-packed Indiana University Memorial Stadium.
The home team wins it and it's not particularly close.
Baby Gronk Flips Commitment to Washington; Previously Pledged to Oklahoma, OSU, More
Jun 14, 2024
MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 01: A general view of a Washington Huskies helmet during the National team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on February 1, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Baby Gronk's commitment cycle continued Friday as the viral youth football player gave his pledge to Washington.
This list of schools that Baby Gronk has "committed" to is getting hard to keep track of, but within the past few weeks alone he's given his pledge to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Texas Tech, Penn State, Clemson and Texas A&M. The list is much more extensive than just those schools, though.
Of course, Baby Gronk's commitments are completely unofficial as he's not yet eligible to give any kind of official pledge at just 11 years old. He has also not received any collegiate football offers, according to On3's recruiting database.
The social media posts claiming he's committed to schools are likely an attempt by his father, Jake San Miguel, to continue growing Baby Gronk's social media following, which has amassed more than 500,000 followers across Instagram and X.
With the lengths taken to achieve viral fame, many have questioned if the Baby Gronk bit has gone too far, including his namesake, Rob Gronkowski. Last summer as Baby Gronk rose to prominence, Gronkowski said it's become "awkward" and "it's too far."
That hasn't stopped Baby Gronk from continuing his commitment carousel, and it seems it won't end anytime soon.
Jack Westover NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Washington TE
Apr 20, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Washington Huskies tight end Jack Westover (37) warms up before a college football game between the Washington Huskies against the USC Trojans on November 04, 2023, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA(Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 243
HAND: 9⅛"
ARM: 32⅛"
WINGSPAN: 77⅛"
40-YARD DASH: N/A
3-CONE: 7.08
SHUTTLE: 4.38
VERTICAL: N/A
BROAD: N/A
POSITIVES
— Overall good player in space. Smooth, agile mover.
— Above-average speed. Can race across the line of scrimmage and tear away from underneath defenders.
— Plays with natural, confident hands. Can catch passes outside his frame with consistency.
— Good blocker as an off-ball tight end and move player. Useful on slices, pulls and out in space.
NEGATIVES
— Light, sawed-off build. May struggle to be a true in-line Y as a result.
— Below-average ability to win the ball in the air. Not a traditional contested catch or red-zone tight end type.
— Brings good effort and technique as a blocker, but prone to being overwhelmed physically.
— Played through a thumb injury in 2023, underwent surgery following the season
OVERALL
Jack Westover is an old, sawed-off prospect who profiles well as a "move" tight end.
Westover is on the smaller side of things at 6'3" and 243 pounds. His short arms and wingspan only exacerbate that. Westover doesn't have the build of a standard Y tight end who blocks downhill and wins as a contested-catch security blanket.
At the same time, Westover is a fluid mover. He's an agile athlete with enough speed to be a nuisance in the open field. Westover is also a clean pass-catcher. While he won't go up for the ball in the air, he catches passes without breaking stride and knows how to find the ball outside his frame.
Westover can also still be useful as a blocker despite his size. Westover's athleticism makes him valuable on moving blocks, such as slicing across the formation to kick out the backside end or pulling ahead into space. Westover also blocks with good effort and technique.
Westover can be a solid backup tight end who plays off the ball. His movement skills in space and useful movement-based blocking profile gives him a clear role in the league.
NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Michael Penix Jr.'s Knee 'Structurally Sound' After Injuries
Apr 19, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 2: Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s right knee is reportedly "structurally sound," an encouraging and positive sign leading into the NFL draft after he twice suffered a torn ACL during his 2018 and 2020 seasons, when he played for Indiana.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network relayed that news on Penix, the ex-Hoosier who transferred to Washington in 2022 before leading the Huskies to a national championship game appearance one season later.
"Penix was a three-year starter at Indiana, but suffered four consecutive season-ending injuries: a torn ACL in 2018, a right (non-throwing) shoulder injury in 2019, a torn ACL in 2020 and an AC joint separation in his left (throwing) shoulder in 2021. Sources say pre-draft medical exams confirmed Penix's twice-reconstructed right knee is structurally sound; he also received a positive report in January from renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who found no meniscus issue or other associated damage. Some teams still will give him a lower medical grade based on the repeat injury, but it's nothing that would cause him to fail a physical. Penix's lack of mobility -- or perhaps reluctance to use it -- is a bigger consideration for some teams."
Penix enjoyed two healthy seasons in Washington, throwing for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns while rushing for seven more scores. Under his leadership, the Huskies went 25-3 over his two years with the school.
Obviously, NFL teams have to hold some level of concern about Penix after he suffered four season-ending injuries from 2018-2021. But the fact of the matter is that he just dominated college football for two straight seasons and emerged as a top-five quarterback prospect despite going through a host of adversities at Indiana.
That perseverance—coupled with a two-year stretch of good health and a clean bill from doctors—will certainly go a long way.
A lot of positives have emerged recently about Penix, who could very well find himself taken in the first round on Thursday. A few examples are below:
An AFC Assistant Coach makes some eye-opening comments about Michael Penix Jr:
"The second-best quarterback in the draft, just as a pure film evaluation, is Michael Penix.
When somebody is often injured, the concern is durability over time. Is his body going to wear down? I'm… pic.twitter.com/tzQtD5RrXq
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) April 19, 2024
"To me, he's the second best quarterback in this draft.. The guy has already elevated one program from being a doormat to a top program. He's already elevated all these people around him.." pic.twitter.com/vwba7YY6Fj
DP spoke to a source last night who thinks there will be 6 QBs taken in the 1st round of this year's #NFLDraft... including Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix pic.twitter.com/lCnDwv1BrL
We'll find out where Penix lands soon enough, but there are a host of quarterback-needy teams out there, and it wouldn't be a surprise whatsoever to see him get called on Day 1.
NFL Exec: Michael Penix Jr. Throws With 'Zero Touch' Due to 'F--ked Up Motion'
Apr 19, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 2: Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington prepares for a snap during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
Ahead of next week's NFL draft, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s throwing motion has been a topic of conversation among NFL scouts and coaches, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
One AFC executive said Penix has "zero touch" due to his throwing motion, which could be a liability.
"Unless he's throwing the ball outside the f---ing numbers, it's getting batted down," the AFC executive said. "He throws it on a f---ing rope every f---ing time. He's thrown a deep ball -- I've seen that, all right, great. He's got that f---ed up motion. He's got zero touch."
But an NFC quarterbacks coach defended his throwing motion, saying Penix possesses a "natural feel" and finds receivers on time.
"I don't think [the throwing motion is] a big deal," the coach said. "The most important thing is, is it getting there on time and is it getting there accurately? He sees it well. He's instinctive. I can see why people like him. I think the kid has a natural feel as a passer, and that's something you can't coach."
Bleacher Report's Scouting Department considers Penix to be the No. 89 overall prospect and the No. 7 quarterback in this year's draft class—a solid position given the talented quarterbacks in this draft class.
In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report, Penix is projected to go to the New York Giants with the No. 70 pick.
In his final season at Washington, Penix had 4,903 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while leading the Huskies to a College Football Playoff title game appearance.
His throwing motion might be a cause for concern among NFL scouts, but his completion percentage (65.4 percent) ranked in the top 30 in college football last season, and that accuracy could translate to the NFL.
Penix likely won't be one of the first quarterbacks off the board, but if teams can overlook an awkward throwing motion, he could still go in the first or second round.
Dillon Johnson NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Washington RB
Apr 15, 2024
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 08: RB Dillon Johnson (7) of the Washington Huskies with a reception during the Michigan Wolverines versus the Washington Huskies CFP National Championship game on January 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 217
HAND: 9⅜"
ARM: 30"
WINGSPAN: 72⅝"
40-YARD DASH: 4.68
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICAL: 31½"
BROAD: 9'9"
POSITIVES
— Sturdy runner with impressive balance. Regularly absorbs contact and keeps moving forward.
— Excellent vision and footwork. Smart, controlled runner who marries patience with decisiveness.
— Efficiently uses the space afforded to him between the tackles. Runs tight to blocks; can get skinny through the hole.
— Tough as nails. Battled through multiple injuries at the end of the season without missing time.
NEGATIVES
— Burst and acceleration is severely lacking. Struggles to beat angles on the perimeter.
— Top speed is poor. Not the kind of runner who pulls away.
— Below-average flexibility. Struggles to bend and burst when cutting up the field on perimeter runs.
— Too frantic in pass protection. Ends up out of position.
— 3-star recruit in Mississippi State's 2020 class, per 247Sports
— Transferred from Mississippi State to Washington in 2023
— 27 career starts
— 2023 second-team All-Pac-12
— Suffered a foot fracture against Oregon State in 2023; did not miss time
— Suffered a high ankle sprain against Texas in the playoff
OVERALL
Dillon Johnson is a tough, smart runner who lacks top-end explosive traits.
Johnson is built like a steady early-down back at nearly 6'0" and 217 pounds. Though he isn't a bulldozer, Johnson's strength matches his frame. He plays with impressive balance, allowing him to absorb hits and continue moving forward.
Johnson is also an incredibly smart runner, both with zone runs and gap runs. He is patient without being conservative and decisive without being rash. Johnson runs with quick, controlled feet that allow him to switch between rushing lanes and commit down the field with ease. He also does well to run tight to his blocks and squeeze through narrow spaces when need be.
With that being said, Johnson struggles to generate yards at the second and third level.
Johnson severely lacks burst in his game. He takes too long to get going on perimeter runs or when he decides to bounce a play outside. The same is true when Johnson gets a runway in the open field. He does not accelerate to his top speed very quickly, and his top speed won't be scaring anybody in the NFL.
Johnson also lacks mobility in his hips and ankles. When he needs to turn and make a sharp cut up the field, he struggles to do it on one collective motion. Johnson needs a few steps to gather himself to make the turn.
Johnson can be a good innings-eater type of back in the NFL. He can be a safe, reliable battering ram on a handful of carries per game. However, Johnson lacks the explosive traits necessary to be a difference-maker in the league.
NFL Coach Says Michael Penix Jr. Is No. 2 QB in Draft: 'He's a Stud, a Born Leader'
Apr 9, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 02: Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington looks on during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
It's safe to say at least one offensive coach in the AFC would love to have Michael Penix Jr. on his team.
"Penix is my No. 2 guy," the coach said of the Washington quarterback prospect, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. "I love Penix. He's a stud, a born leader, calm and collected and in a genuine way. He's a baller. He turns it loose, can throw it into tight windows. He stands in the pocket, lets plays develop, takes hits, throws it down the field. He's just a winner."
He did plenty of winning in his final season with the Huskies and led them all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Penix was a Heisman Trophy finalist and completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, which marked his second straight year with more than 4,600 passing yards.
It is fair to be concerned about his age since he will turn 24 years old in May, as well as his injury history since he dealt with setbacks at Indiana. Still, Penix proved he was one of the best players in college football last season.
That doesn't always translate to the next level, though, and not everyone agrees with the AFC coach's evaluation.
In fact, B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranked Penix as the seventh-best quarterback available in this year's draft in its latest big board.
He will surely have the opportunity to prove himself on the field at the NFL level, and he did nothing but succeed after he transferred to Washington in the college game. In fact, he succeeded enough for one coach to rank him as the second-best quarterback in the entire draft.
