Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1472993
A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 3 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M QUARTERBACKS 2021 vs. 2022: Stock Up Or Down? Considering last season's final performance at the position, Penn State has only one direction to go at quarterback in 2022. Sean Clifford and the Nittany Lions agreed to try a sixth year together and, by all indications, he'll be the guy under center when the season opens at Purdue. Whether it's Clifford, head coach James Franklin, or offensive coordina- tor Mike Yurcich telling it, the refrain at this point is familiar. Penn State is optimistic that consecutive years of consistency at QB and OC, the first such occasion in Clifford's four seasons as a starter, will pay dividends. For four games last season, the pairing between Clifford and Yurcich meshed to great effect. Though cramming to establish a foundation and build on it quickly, Clifford had completed 118 of 178 passes (66 percent) for 1,482 yards and 11 touchdowns before exiting with an injury in the second quarter at Iowa. He'd also thrown only 3 interceptions before that game upended his, and the rest of the team's, season. At 24 years old, he's also being counted upon to shepherd the rest of the room. Redshirt freshman Christian Veilleux is likely to serve as Clifford's un- derstudy, just as he did late last season, spelling a flu-stricken Clifford against Rutgers in November. In his first career snaps at Penn State, Veilleux acquit- ted himself nicely, throwing for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. Penn State's success or failure at the position remains tied to Clifford's performance. X-Factor Even if Clifford can break free from the setbacks that doomed his 2021 campaign, his individual performance is going to be inextricably tied to the players around him. Will Penn State's offensive line show dramatic improvement this season? Having third-year sophomore Olu Fashanu at left tackle in place of sev- enth-round NFL Draft pick Rasheed Walker will be immensely important to Clifford. Redshirt senior Juice Scruggs at center and redshirt freshman Landon Tengwall at left guard should also help. Will Penn State's running backs be in a position to change games this season? Noah Cain never regained his freshman form last year, and Keyvone Lee lacked game-breaking potential as a second-year freshman. Cain is gone, but the arrival of true freshmen Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen should help. Absent the safety net of receiver Jahan Dotson, who accounted for 1,182 of Penn State's 4,893 yards of total offense last season, Clifford's improve- ment cannot happen without concurrent strides from his supporting cast. Freshman Outlook As opposed to Penn State's predicament of having just three scholarship quarterbacks a year ago, the additions of true freshmen Beau Pribula and Drew Allar are significant. Just don't expect either to play this year. Or, if one does see anything more than mop-up duty in blowout wins, expect Penn State's season to be in a tailspin. Clifford and Veilleux will provide stability, and their presence should keep PSU from having to play the newcomers before they're ready. At the same time, having Allar and Pribula in the fold means that Clifford and Veilleux will feel the threat of upstart competition if their performances aren't up to snuff. — Nate Bauer Quick Facts Position coach: Mike Yurcich (second season) Returning starter: Sean Clifford (33 career starts) Departing starter: None Top reserve: Christian Veilleux Newcomers: Drew Allar, Beau Pribula Moved in: None Moved out: Mason Stahl Scholarship Players (4) NO. PLAYER YR. HT. WT. 14 Sean Clifford R-Sr.+ 6-2 216 9 Christian Veilleux R-Fr. 6-4 202 15 Drew Allar Fr. 6-5 229 9 Beau Pribula Fr. 6-2 200 Beau Pribula is one of two impressive true freshman quarterbacks — Drew Allar being the other — who will have the luxury of learning the PSU system as reserves this sea- son while backing up Clifford and redshirt freshman Christian Veilleux. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL