[1] He attended Newman Catholic High School in Mason City, Iowa, where he played football, basketball, and threw discus and shot put on the track and field team.
[2][3] Penning committed to play college football at Northern Iowa shortly after receiving an offer from the team.
Penning entered the 2021 fall season as one of the highest-rated offensive tackle and FCS prospects for the 2022 NFL draft.
[8][9][10] Penning's younger brother, Jared, has been the starter next to him on the Panthers' offensive line since his redshirt sophomore season.
[11] Penning was selected in the first round with the 19th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft.