Sean Clifford

Player Bio
The 2016 Elite 11 finalist and top-five pro-style passer recruit nationally out of Ohio played in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2018 (5-7-71.4%, 195 yards, two TDs). Clifford took over as the Penn State starter in 2019, receiving honorable mention All-Big Ten notice (189-319-59.2%, 2,654 yards, 23 TDs, seven INTs passing; 116-402-3.5, five TDs rushing). He started eight of nine games in 2020 (152-251-60.6%, 1,883 yards, 16 TDs, nine INTs passing; 99-335-3.4, three TDs rushing), though he split time with Will Levis (who transferred to Kentucky after the season). His brother, Liam, signed to play receiver at Penn State in 2021. Clifford started all 13 games in 2021, garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors (261-428-61.0%, 3,107 yards, 21 TDs, eight INTs passing; 99-163-1.6, two TDs rushing). He was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (also known as the Academic Heisman). Clifford became Penn State's second four-time team captain in 2022, receiving honorable mention all-conference honors again by starting all 13 games (226-351-64.4%, 2,822 yards, 24 TDs, seven INTs, 69-176-2.6, five TDs rushing). He was the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP (16-21-76.2%, 279 yards, two TDs) as well as a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. Clifford set several Penn State career records, including passing yards (10,661) and yards of total offense (11,734). -- by Chad Reuter

Overview
Mobile four-year starter with desired NFL intangibles and leadership, but a lack of passing talent. Clifford will have his moments, but he doesn’t consistently deliver the ball with accuracy and timing. His arm strength falls below the mark.

Strengths
Four-year starter and four-time team captain.
Mobility to exit the pocket and move the chains.
Shows talent to throw on the move.
Throws with proper touch underneath.

Weaknesses
Turns rhythm throws into extended plays unnecessarily.
Ball doesn’t come out on time.
Sloppy getting feet set to the target.
Engages in long staring contests.
Lacks desired NFL arm talent.
Able to operate zone-read concepts.

NFL.com scouting report really didn't seem to like his arm.

He's older than Love. He will be hard pressed to beat out Etling.  Of course being drafted in the 5th may be his Ace

I live in Penn State country, so I asked Penn State fans about the pick... consistently got things like "wasted pick" even from the ones that are also Packers fans.

Even before the draft started, I thought if the Packers drafted a QB in the 5th, I was thinking BYU QB Jaren Hall, whom the Packers selected Clifford over Hall and then Vikings drafted Hall.

Both of which are considered mobile QBs, without great arms.

Well, he seems decent at scrambling and has a solid pocket presence but not much else from the looks of it. Some of those downfield passes just hung in the air forever and had no zip. Is he good in the film room? Might be they want him for his brain on the scout team than on the field for anything. 

Mucky Tundra;457491

Well, he seems decent at scrambling and has a solid pocket presence but not much else from the looks of it. Some of those downfield passes just hung in the air forever and had no zip. Is he good in the film room? Might be they want him for his brain on the scout team than on the field for anything. 

Question is what will he look like in two years?