The Back Story Behind No. 9 Going From Morris to Penix

When Michael Penix Jr. arrived at the University of Washington as a transfer from Indiana, jersey No. 9 belonged to fellow quarterback Dylan Morris and Penix wanted it.

In the NFL, when this sort of thing happens, money sometimes changes hands to facilitate a desired uniform digit or digits handoff. At the very least, the original owner bargains for a dinner or three.

We'd like to report that some long, drawn-out negotiation took place in Huskyville, involving agents and lawyers, and proposals and counter-proposals, but it was actually a much more simple transaction than that.

All along, Morris had his eyes on wearing No. 5, which was his football number all along at Graham-Kapowsin High School outside of Tacoma and as a youth football player, but belonged to running back Sean McGrew until the latter used up his Husky eligibility during the 2021 season.

Once in Seattle, Penix only had to be momentarily patient to obtain his number of preference.

"It wasn't official yet," Morris said. "I told him, 'As long as I can make sure I get 5, you can have 9.' "

Morris actually wore No. 16 when he redshirted as a UW freshman in 2019 and didn't appear in a game. The following season, he switched to No. 9 when he was named the starting quarterback for the short-lived 2020 season that was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the next two seasons handing off and throwing flat passes to McGrew, who wore the QB's number of choice.

"I liked Drew Brees so I got 9," Morris said of the retired NFL quarterback great who played for Purdue against the Huskies in the 2001 Rose Bowl. 

No. 9 has not been a real prominent quarterback number at the UW, at last until Penix led the nation in passing last season and became a serious Heisman Trophy candidate entering the upcoming campaign.

Prior to Morris and Penix, the most visible quarterbacks to pull on 9 were dual-threat Eric Alozie, who later switched to wide receiver in 1989, and Duane Akina, who was Warren Moon's QB back-up in 1976 and 1977 and now is the secondary coach for Arizona.

Previously, the most visible Huskies at any position to pull on No. 9 were All-America safety Lawyer Milloy (1993-95), NFL No. 1 draft pick edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (2017-2019), linebacker Donald Butler (2006-09), linebacker Brandon Beaver (2013-16), running back Louis Rankin (2004-07), wide receiver Joe Kralik (1991-93), wide receiver George Black (1951-53).

Any regret on Morris' part for not striking a deal with his high-profile teammate for No. 9?

"No," he said, "it was already in the works before he got here."

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