Sean Clifford returning to PSU
Using his COVID year to come back. This seems like good news for the rest of the B1G East IMO. Clifford is who he is, an average to above average QB who has either stagnated or regressed in his 3 years as a starter. If Clifford left PSU's QBs behind him were all bad, but there was a chance they could have brought in a much better QB from the portal. Now that he loses Dotson and a few OL, I can't imagine he takes step forward next year. And considering PSU may lose 7+ starters on defense, they could be in for another 7-5 year next year.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
I don't think I agree that it's good news for anyone but Penn State. That dude is tough as nails.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
So is Fred Flinstone. He’s a sitting duck.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
^^^ this might be my favorite MGoBlog comment ever. Had to log in just to say that. Thank you @BoCanHam15!
December 10th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
They gotta protect him. I'm against him as an enemy but admire that grit to the point that when he's picking his crumpled shell off the turf, I'm inwardly pleading out of sympathy, "stay down, dude; stay down!"
December 10th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
Go to PSU's 247 board and see if they think it's good news. He's a solid QB, but nothing more. He keeps their floor to where they should be a bowl team next year, but if Clifford is starting PSU isn't winning anything meaningful. Which is good news to a team like Michigan that's looking to win another B1G title.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:39 PM ^
You can probably count the number of fanbases happy with their QB on one hand, maybe two. He's a pretty good B10 QB when healthy. Staying healthy is the question, granted. But he's tough, can make plays with his legs, he was a competent passer even with that shit OL and a crap running attack. The fact that he wants to come back would say positive things to me, if I were a PSU fan. Now if that line doesn't improve, totally agree. That team won't go too far. Plus they need to replace a lot on D. If those couple of things don't go well, PSU isn't going to challenge for much, but I think will be more "despite" Clifford than because of him.
December 10th, 2021 at 3:09 PM ^
I don't think going to PSU's 247 board is a good decision to get the barometer on anything.
If you went to Michigans 247 board last year and made decisions based off that where would we be now?
December 10th, 2021 at 3:23 PM ^
Is PSU winning anything meaningful with another QB starting? Taquan Roberson looked pretty dire this season, and their other option for next year will be a true freshman.
December 10th, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^
He may still be suffering from PTSD after the M game.
the person it is not good news for is Clifford, he IS tough as nails but their Oline almost got him killed.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
Why man? Why take an NFL career level beating without ever getting the NFL paycheck?
December 10th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
Because he'll get more from NIL than NFL.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
Good practice for a career with the New York Giants.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:21 PM ^
Because it’s unlikely he will be getting an NFL paycheck. I don’t see him as an NFL QB.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
Agreed. 5th year gives him another chance though. If he could pull off a great year may be he gets a chance in the NFL.
December 10th, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Nah he’s peaked out.
December 10th, 2021 at 3:19 PM ^
The guy has no respect for his own ribs.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
I wouldn’t classify that as good news. I’m sure they would much rather have an established 5th year senior than whoever else they would start next year. Makes next years game a little tougher but it’s at home so that’s good.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:30 PM ^
I don't get the people who mock this guy. He may not set the world on fire, but he's tough and he can run the ball. He'll be in the upper half of QBs and that's much better than what they were going to get unless they hit a home run in the portal.
December 10th, 2021 at 2:04 PM ^
Exactly. His stats have gotten worse every year, but at the same time his OL has gotten worse every year as well. While it doesn't correlate precisely with pass protection, Penn State's average per carry has gone from 4.9 in 2019 down to 3.9 last year down to 3.1 this year. So at a minimum he's getting less run support and almost certainly worse pass protection.
December 10th, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
His stats have gotten worse every year
No, they have not. His completion % has improved each year (59, 60, 62). He didn't really click with Kirk Ciarocca's RPO heavy game and had a bad TD to INT ratio in 2020. But, his TD/INT ratio rebounded to 2019 levels this year. His passer rating was the exact same in 2020 and 2021. No, his stats have not gotten worse each year.
But, yes, I agree with you that their O-Line seems to be providing less protection/support each year. Accordingly, Clifford's rushing stats were at an all-time low this season. Perhaps your impression of Clifford's efficacy was clouded by his non-factor in the run game this year (bad o-line, injury)
December 10th, 2021 at 3:20 PM ^
My one thought, with their 5-star QB coming in next season, I wonder if there isn’t a pseudo controversy/passing of the torch by mid season. They have a four week stretch that includes @Auburn, Home to OSU (presumably a white out) and @Michigan, followed by Illinois and a bye. Post bye, they get MSU, but then it’s IU, Maryland, Minnesota, Rutgers. That’s a soft finish, seemingly perfect to get a young talent reps.
December 10th, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^
not mocking him at all, he was the toughest MFer our boys played against.
Dude got his A$$ kicked and kept coming play after play
just surprised he is signing up for another year of getting his A$$ kicked.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:16 PM ^
Pretty big for PSU. I feel like Clifford had a 'Poor Damn Devin Gardner' kind of year, the kid was just a shell of himself for the last half of the year because of the beating he took. He's tougher than any one of us that's for sure.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:16 PM ^
I don’t know how he made it through the game vs Michigan. Tough dude.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
He'll have nightmares of Hutch and Ojabo for the rest of his life. Surprised he's coming back.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:19 PM ^
Good. They are coming to Ann Arbor and we will beat them. Nice if it's a respectable win.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
He’s a good college QB but I don’t see him having much of an NFL future. At least not at the QB position, so this was probably the best move for him to make.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
Just skimming the comments and maybe 1/2 of PSU fans don’t want him back.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^
Disagree that he regressed.
He was an atrocious passer in 2020 but the early part of the season he was damned solid. Desperately seeking a half-decent OL, as they have been since 2003.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
16 points against Wisconsin on 7.4 YPA.
28 points vs Auburn on 8.8 YPA.
24 points vs Indiana on 5.4 YPA.
17 points vs Iowa on 5.8 YPA before his injury.
He had one above average performance against a team with a pulse before getting hurt, and that was at home vs a 6-6 Auburn team.
Clifford is the definition of a QB who gets overrated because he's been around a while, not because he's good.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:39 PM ^
i mean he's not going to win the heisman, but it's not like he's the only player on their offense and their OL is atrocious.
Speaking of the heisman, how did bryce young compare to clifford against that 6-6 auburn team?
and it's super strange to bring iowa into this, when his injury is what immediately swung a game they were winning 17-3 with him in
December 10th, 2021 at 1:45 PM ^
And find another QB who went for more than 7.4 YPA against Wisconsin.
And to Bambi, I said "damned solid," not "good." And how the heck is he overrated?
December 10th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
First B1G quarterback to collect social security while playing.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:33 PM ^
Conner Cook and J.T Barrett say Hi
December 10th, 2021 at 1:48 PM ^
Disability after their game at Michigan Stadium?
December 10th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
I think Michigan fans tend to think in a myopic way in terms of other teams losing players. I don’t think we can assume Clifford will be worse just because he’s losing Dotson, I’m sure they have other highly rated players who can step up. Just as I’ve heard people say MSU is going to go 4-8 next year because they lose Walker. We lose Hutchinson and Ojabo and I doubt anyone here thinks our defense will suck next year.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:53 PM ^
Opposing fan bases always thing other teams will fall off a cliff (no pun intended) after player x and / or player y graduates.
Penn State has earned the benefit of the doubt on defense as they have shown their ability to recruit and develop within their system. Better questions there is whether the loss of their DC will impact the quality of the defense next year.
On offense, Penn State has not shown the ability to develop players. Their OL has been atrocious for the last decade and their QB and RB records has been spotty with some big hits (Saquon, Miles Sanders, Trace) but no consistency there - maybe because of the OL?
They have done a great job with WRs and TEs (Godwin, Juwuan Johnson, Hamler, Dotson, Gesicki and Freiermuth). Parker Washington looks like he could break out next year.
December 10th, 2021 at 2:23 PM ^
guys can improve for sure, transfer portal changes everything in CFB, look what sparti did with it in 21!
December 10th, 2021 at 1:33 PM ^
Good we get to beat him again next year
December 10th, 2021 at 1:36 PM ^
Why would anyone other than a masochist want to play QB for Penn State?
December 10th, 2021 at 1:38 PM ^
Definitely wouldn't say he is average. I was impressed with Clifford vs UM this year. We blow them out if he is not available and pulling plays out of his ass.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:40 PM ^
I'm not sure if PSU fans are happy about this or not, but I'd guess his NFL stock is not super high so it probably can't hurt to try and improve it.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^
I dunno, I'm not exactly thrilled. Unsure that they'd get an upgrade. Probably good for PSU. The depth and talent behind him is not good. Roberson is bad. Maybe Veilleux will be ok, who knows.
Guy has 61% completion for 7.9 YPA, 61 TDs and 22 INTs in his career. Plus has some ability on the ground too, and is a gamer
Yeah he's not all-world, but he's definitely a decent QB
December 10th, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^
Interesting given the QB recruit they’ve got coming in next year. Maybe they’re hoping for a situation that plays out like UM’s did with McNamara and McCarthy with Clifford being on the field most of the plays while the new kid get his feet wet until he clearly surpasses Clifford.
I don’t love that Clifford is coming back since he was able to keep plays alive long enough to allow his WRs to get open downfield or make a play with his legs before his injury. If he gets healthy he will be a problem for most teams early on their schedule until he wears down again from taking too much punishment behind a lousy line.
Probably a good thing for the PSU offense for him to come back, though I’m doubtful it leads to bigger things for him professionally down the line.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
Interested to see how their offense looks next year without Dotson. They still can't run the ball and I'm not sure if they've got another high usage, efficient WR on that roster.
Feels like Franklin is going to be on the hot seat next year if they keep on this trend.
December 10th, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^
I am a Penn State fan and I agree with this. I completely excuse any coaches' poor performance in 2020. I don't care what anyone says about PSU or Michigan. PSU was breaking in a new, very different OC with no spring ball. I don't hold that record against Franklin at all. As a Michigan fan, I completely excuse Harbaugh's 2020 record, too. Michigan was 125th out of 130 in returning production according to Bill Connelly and they had no spring ball to get an inexperienced team up to speed. I don't hold that record against Harbaugh at all.
Now, if Franklin/PSU doesn't get to 9-3 or better next year, I will be in griping/critical/hot seat territory. Going to be a tough non-conference game on the road in an SEC stadium. But, it helps that the PSU crossover games are Purdue, Illinois, and Minnesota.
December 10th, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^
PSU has 3 very likely losses next year: at Auburn, OSU, at M. And they'll probably drop another.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
Definitely not good news for other teams. He's solid when he's not totally battered by the shambles of an OL they have. And did you see what happened when he couldn't play? Gives Allar a year to learn and then take over as a sophomore with 0 drama
December 10th, 2021 at 1:50 PM ^
I think he’s pretty good especially when he’s kept clean which to be fair rarely happens. Will make our game tricker but nice that it’s home next year. I’m just a tiny bit concerned that the Maryland game is so early they’re pretty good in the beginning of the year.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:50 PM ^
He’s no Kerry Collins.