Blue White Illustrated

S P R I N G P R A C T I C E W R A P e plays a position at which patience and a willingness to pay one's dues are among the most important job qualifi- cations. And yet, Sean Clifford has always seemed like a guy in a hurry. Clifford was the first prospect to join Penn State's Class of 2017, announcing for the Nittany Lions in July 2015, 18 months before he was able to sign a letter of intent and five months before the next-most-eager recruit in the class. Once he committed to the Lions, the young quarterback from Cincinnati quickly turned his attention to the team that James Franklin and his staff were building around him, taking the initiative to chat up other high-profile recruits such as Lamont Wade and Fred Hansard and using social media to publicize a class that ended up placing 12th the final Rivals.com team rankings. Clifford redshirted in his first season with the Nittany Lions, adhering to the usual quarter- back-development timeline for at least the first few months of his college career. But last year, he was back on the fast track. He began the sea- son as Trace McSorley's backup due to an injury to Tommy Stevens, and on the first passing at- tempt of his career – against Pitt in week two – he hit Brandon Polk for a 34-yard touchdown. The following week, he completed all three of his attempts against Kent State, including a 95- yard touchdown pass to Daniel George that turned out to be the longest play from scrim- mage in Penn State history. "He refuses to do anything but throw touch- down passes," Franklin said following the Lions' 63-10 victory over the Golden Flashes. "Pretty cool for him." Clifford tried to throw another one in the Cit- rus Bowl, launching a deep pass to DeAndre Thompkins on his first play of the game after subbing in for an injured McSorley. While Thompkins wasn't able to hold onto the seem- ingly catchable pass, Clifford's throw showed just what kind of arm he has. As for the play call, that showed what kind of head he has. It showed that the coaching staff trusts him to keep his cool and sling accurate passes the moment he steps on the field. But now comes the real test. If his career to date has been a rocket ride, the season to come is going to be a jump into hyperspace. Barring any unforeseen complications, Clifford is about to become the Nittany Lions' starting quarter- back. Granted, unforeseen complications have pretty much been the Lions' trademark lately, the most notable of those complications being the one that put Clifford atop the depth chart in the first place: Stevens' surprise decision to enter the transfer portal just four days after the Blue-White Game. But while nothing is assured with the season still more than three months away, and while the coaching staff talked up redshirt freshman Will Levis at every opportunity this spring, cit- ing his big arm and steadily improving grasp of the Lions' scheme, it's very difficult to imagine a FUTURE SHOCK H Tommy Stevens' transfer may have caught the Nittany Lions off-guard, but it gives redshirt sophomore Sean Clifford an opportunity to continue his rapid ascent SPRING FLINGS Clifford saw ex- tensive action in the Nittany Lions' spring game, completing 11 of 19 passes for 118 yards. He also rushed six times for 31 yards, help- ing lead the Blue past the White, 24-7. Photo by Steve Manuel

• Cover