Quarterback Sean Clifford selected as Jason Witten Man of the Year finalist
Penn State sixth-year quarterback Sean Clifford has been selected as one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. He’s joined by Oregon offensive tackle Alex Forsyth and Pitt defensive end Deslin Alexandre as finalists.
The annual honor is bestowed upon college football players who demonstrate “exemplary leadership.” This is the sixth year for the award and is decided on by the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee.
So, Penn State football celebrated Clifford’s selection and announced the news via its Twitter feed.
Sean Clifford’s distinguished year
According to the award’s site, Clifford was originally selected among a group of 20 players, 16 seniors and four juniors. That was after having “demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.”
Climbing the record books at Penn State while making a mark in the community ed to Clifford’s nomination.
From the site: “One of two Penn State players to reach 9,000 yards of total offense and one of three quarterbacks to eclipse 8,000 career passing yards, Clifford is the current all-time leader at Penn State in completion percentage and ranks second at PSU in career passing touchdowns and passing yardage. He is one of only two four-time team captains in the history of Penn State football.”
Top 10
- 1
Rick Pitino
New sheriff in Big Ten?
- 2
Ryan Day
Buyout revealed from new contract
- 3
UNC president
Belichick hire fall out
- 4
'I'm 1-0 vs. PETA'
La. Gov. defends LSU live tiger
- 5
2025 CFB odds
Key game point spreads
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Off the field, Clifford’s contributions have been equally important.
“He is an active supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters program, where he serves a mentor. He has also served as Penn State football’s leadership liaison for volunteer activities. In that role, he is responsible for leading the team and encouraging the team’s student-athletes to participate in volunteer activities around the Penn State community and throughout the state of Pennsylvania.”
Next steps
Clifford returned to Penn State for a sixth year to manage the Nittany Lions’ quarterback room. But, his in-game performances were just part of his overall value to the Nittany Lions.
And he did that.
Clifford completed 210 of 330 passes for 2,543 yards and 22 touchdowns against seven interceptions. His completion percentage of 63.6 was a career-best. And, Clifford’s TD-to-INT ratio was also only a hair off the pace set during his debut season as a starter in 2019.
Still, those interceptions did help cost Penn State a realistic shot at this year’s CFP. At a moment in the program’s trajectory when steady leadership presented the most viable path to success, Clifford delivered.
Clifford and the Nittany Lions will play in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif., where they’ll face Utah.
