Penn State football QB Sean Clifford explains his decision to return for 2022
Through three seasons as Penn State’s starting quarterback, continuity has eluded Sean Clifford.
He played under his third different offensive coordinator as a starter in 2020. After electing to return in 2022, though, he’s looking forward to the chance to build on the platform he created with OC Mike Yurcich last season.
“That was definitely one of the most appealing factors that played into it,” Clifford said of his choice to return. “It was having an offensive coordinator for two years, back-to-back. I have yet to have that as a starter. To be honest with you, it has been difficult at times just because you can’t really go back to look at the tape and say, ‘Alright, we’re going to grow on this play, this play, this play,’ because there’s new plays coming in the door.
“There’s a lot of value in that that is underappreciated.”
Clifford feels like Penn State’s offense has progressed under Yurcich, and sees growth in his own game, too.
Most of that, Clifford said, relates to his poise in the pocket.
“I think with Coach Yurcich, he’s taught me a lot about progressions, staying in the pocket, eyes downfield, and just being a field general,” Clifford said.
“I think that we have a lot of room to grow, I think this offense can only go up. We have a lot of different things that we can mess around with in game plans and wrinkles, but the foundation has kind of been set.”
Clifford announced his decision to return to Happy Valley for year six on December 10. He’ll make use of the extra season of eligibility granted to college athletes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett became the poster boy of sorts for that path, using his extra year to put together a campaign that made him a Heisman Trophy finalist this season.
Clifford said Pickett’s success wasn’t one of the many data points he used to make his choice to come back to Penn State, though.
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Name, image and likeness opportunities were, however. Clifford became active in that market after the state of Pennsylvania passed legislation permitting him to do so this summer.
“That also definitely played a factor in my decision,” he said. “It allowed me to pursue some things that I was not able to in the past, capitalize on some opportunities for myself and my family and the future to expand my brand and earn a little bit of money doing it.”
Ultimately, though, Clifford said he’s just looking forward to spending another season with his teammates, and his pass-catchers are looking forward to having him back, too.
“The relationship we have is great and just coming in next year, as far as quarterbacks and receivers coming together, we won’t have to build that type of trust or anything like that,” wideout Parker Washington said. “We just build on what we have now. It will be fun.”
Clifford said he sought out feedback at the NFL level and felt as though he had options there, but returning to Penn State proved the best choice for him.
“A lot of people were wondering whether taking a sixth year was a tough decision, but in the end, I love football and I want to keep playing football as long as possible,” he said.
