How three top NFL QB prospects fared in New Year's Day bowls

Though the consensus top quarterbacks entering the 2024 NFL Draft didn't play on New Year's Day — North Carolina's Drake Maye, USC's Caleb Williams and LSU's Jayden Daniels sat out their bowls — several other QB prospects may have improved their draft stock with signature performances. Here's a look at who impressed most: 

Michael Penix Jr. | Washington

When the lights shined brightest, Penix played one of the best games of his career. The 23-year-old torched Texas' defense in a 37-31 win in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, completing 29-of-38 (76.3%) for 430 yards (fourth most in a CFP game), two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Against Texas, Penix displayed many of the desirable traits that made him the 2023 Heisman runner-up. The Huskies quarterback continued to excel on throws at the intermediate route level, completing 7-of-10 for 257 yards on 15-plus yard throws downfield, per ESPN. He also showcased his improved deep-ball accuracy, finding Ja'Lynn Polk on a 77-yard bomb on his first throw of the game.

Penix will have another chance to impress scouts and strengthen his legacy with Washington set to play Michigan in the CFP national championship game on Jan. 8.

Bo Nix | Oregon

In the final game of his five-year CFB career, Nix produced a stellar stat line that Oregon fans have come to expect from him. The 23-year-old led the Ducks to the most lopsided win in Fiesta Bowl history, completing 28-of-35 for 363 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-6 rout over No. 23 Liberty, which played one of the weaker schedules in the FBS.

Nix further cemented himself as perhaps the most polished QB prospect entering the draft. He set school records for touchdown passes (45) and passing yards (4,508) in a season and an NCAA record for season completion percentage (77.45), breaking the record held by Alabama's Mac Jones. 

With such a long list of accolades, chances are a quarterback-needy team will take a chance on Nix in the first round of the draft.   

J.J. McCarthy | Michigan   

Though it wasn't always pretty, McCarthy did just enough in Michigan's thrilling 27-20 overtime victory versus Alabama. 

McCarthy's day nearly took a turn for the worse on his first play of the game. While attempting to throw out of bounds, the 20-year-old's pass was snatched by Alabama safety Caleb Downs. The interception was overturned, however, because the defender had stepped out of bounds.

McCarthy settled in nicely after a disaster almost struck, completing 17-of-27 for 221 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He displayed his toughness and athleticism on a botched trick play, reeling in a one-handed catch on a lateral and completing a pass before being slammed to the turf.

Though McCarthy's inexcusable mistake to start the game didn't come back to bite the Wolverines, it did shed light on the QB prospect's weak arm and inconsistent ball placement, as former scout Daniel Kelly pointed out. He will have the opportunity to silence the doubters, however, against Washington in the championship.