Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List for the upcoming 2022 season. The Maxwell Award honors the best college football player of the season, decided by college coaches, sportscasters and sportswriters.
Clifford, who just turned twenty-four last week, is entering his sixth and final season at Penn State. Clifford has been the starting quarterback since 2019 after his predecessor Trace McSorley graduated and left for the NFL.
In 2021, due to a weak offensive line and injuries, Clifford struggled to find his footing. Unable to lead the offense, especially down the stretch against fellow BIG 10 foes. Ultimately, Penn State lost five of the last seven games of last season. In his final season with the Nittany Lions, Clifford will need to overcome the hurdles and get pivotal division wins.
As quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions, he has started 33 games and racked up many records along the way. Clifford became the third quarterback in school history to reach the 7,500 passing yard mark last season. He is also just the third player in Penn State history to reach the 8,000 yards in total offense mark.
Sean Clifford also added to Davey O’Brien watch list
Sean Clifford was also named to the Davey O’Brien watch list early this week. The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, is given each year to the best quarterback in college football at the conclusion of the season. There are 35 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list as the 2022 season quickly approaching.
Add him to the National Quarterback Award watch list 👀#WeAre | @SeanCliff14 pic.twitter.com/Y6R8vIMnV
Who will be Clifford’s successor?
Penn State head coach James Franklin has spent the last few years recruiting talent from across the United States and Canada. With Sean Clifford’s decision to come back for his sixth and final season, leaves unanswered questions as to who will be the next starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions. And when will they finally get their chance to start?
Christian Veilleux, is likely to be number two on the quarterback depth chart. In his true freshman season in 2021, Veilleux did get the opportunity to get on the field when Clifford was out with an illness. Against Rutgers in late November, Veilleux was 15 for 24 in completed passes and threw for 235 passing yards and three touchdowns. Veilleux showed a lot of promise and could likely be the next man up for the Nittany Lions. He will have competition, however.
Highly touted recruit Drew Allar, a five-star quarterback out of Medina High School, Ohio, enrolled early and has been on campus at State College since January. After Clifford’s departure, Allar and Veilleux will likely compete for the starting spot next fall.
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