Skip to main content
Join
Team Avatar
Penn StateNittany Lions

Sean Clifford makes final decision about returning to Penn State

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•12/10/21•

Jonathan Wagner

sean-clifford-makes-final-decision-return-penn-state-football-quarterback-big-ten
Scott Taetsch via Getty Images.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford isn’t done playing for the Nittany Lions. Clifford announced on Friday that he will be returning to Penn State for one more season.

Clifford just completed his fourth season with Penn State, and he has one extra season of eligibility that allows him return for one final season. This year, Clifford completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,912 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions to go along with 117 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.

Clifford sent a message on Twitter announcing his decision.

“Penn State is more than football for me. It is family,” Clifford said. “My teammates, Coach Franklin, the staff and the community have shaped me into the man I am today and I am forever grateful. I am beyond thankful for the support system I have back home, as my mom, dad and brother have stood by me every step of the way.

“With that being said, I will be returning to Penn State to play one more season in the Blue & White. I could not pass up the chance to be with this family and play the game I love again. The opportunity to play alongside my brother, Liam, and the rest of my brothers on the team made this decision easy.

“I am extremely excited to finish this season strong in Tampa and then go to work with such a great group again! See y’all in Beaver soon … WE ARE!”

Top 10

  1. 1

    UK upsets Duke

    Mark Pope leads Kentucky to first Champions Classic win since 2019

    Trending
  2. 2

    Second CFP Top 25

    Newest CFP rankings are out

  3. 3

    Nico Iamaleava

    Tennessee QB dealing with concussion ahead of Georgia game

  4. 4

    Couches on fire

    State Street burning couches after Kentucky upsets Duke

  5. 5

    Diego Pavia

    Court denies Vandy QB temporary restraining order against the NCAA

    Hot
View All

Clifford bounced back from a rough 2020 season this year

Clifford’s first season as Penn State’s starting quarterback was a good starting point for him. He threw for 2,654 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions and rushed for 402 yards and five touchdowns. But last season, Clifford struggled through inconsistency and threw for just 1,883 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Penn State needed Clifford to return to his 2019 form and improve on that if the Nittany Lions wanted to compete this season. Clifford was able to do that. On the season, Clifford threw for 2,912 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions along with 117 rushing yards and two additional scores.

After a loss to Michigan late in the season, Penn State head coach James Franklin praised Clifford for his toughness this season. Now, Clifford has one final year to continue leading the Penn State offense.

“I’m proud of Sean,” Franklin said after the loss to Michigan. “Sean’s a competitor. He’s tough. He’s given everything he can to this program, and this university, and his teammates. But, he was beat up. He’s getting hit too many times.”