Sean Clifford...
- Thread starter Player2BNamedL8r
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I think the QB competition will be (and should be) a much closer battle between Stevens and Clifford than a lot of fans realize. Clifford is a really, really gifted passer.
My crystal ball:
I don't think Clifford starts next year, though he might be the better passer. Stevens is bigger, stronger, and likely the better runner. Franklin had to convince him to stay. For those reasons Tommy gets the nod, but Clifford will play more next year than Tommy will play this year, barring an injury impact.
I don't think Clifford starts next year, though he might be the better passer. Stevens is bigger, stronger, and likely the better runner. Franklin had to convince him to stay. For those reasons Tommy gets the nod, but Clifford will play more next year than Tommy will play this year, barring an injury impact.
Why are you all so high on Clifford? His QBR dropped over 100 points from the Pitt game!
(TIC...it went from 715 to 604!)
(TIC...it went from 715 to 604!)
I wouldn’t be surprised if Clifford is the number 1qb and Stevens plays lion or transfers.
Yea he will. Clifford’s not going to roll over for him and despite what some think franklin isn’t just going to hand him the position.
Sean Clifford wins the starting QB spot next year. That was my hot take like 6 months ago.
Clifford will still have 2 years even if he doesn't win postion next season. Got give Franklin credit he has done a fantastic job with qb recruiting. Says something when PSU 3 deep QBs would probably be starting at almost every other school.
He has an excellent arm. His throws have been precise, under duress.
The key will be what Tommy shows throwing. This offense is modifiable for mobile or pocket passing. Strides in OL play along with recruiting difference makers makes either transition much easier.
Stevens hasn't even taken a snap as a starter and already the board is touting his backup.
Just like every other season.
Nice to know we have consistency on this board.
Just like every other season.
Nice to know we have consistency on this board.
Clifford may beat out Tommy, but also factor in that there will be 2 additional 4* QBs in camp next summer.
Kid throws a Hell of a ball. Strong and accurate.
That said. Absolutely no way, barring injury, he starts over Stevens next year. Stevens could have easily transferred but did not. He's earned the shot. Clifford will have 2 years to start after next season.
That said. Absolutely no way, barring injury, he starts over Stevens next year. Stevens could have easily transferred but did not. He's earned the shot. Clifford will have 2 years to start after next season.
I love it. Look at the 2019 recruiting thread and Roberson and Johnson Jr are the future of Penn State. It’s a good problem to have, but unfortunately we can’t have our cake and eat it too.
I'm thrilled for Cliff but geez, guys, he's come in against very tired defenses with great protection and had the luxury of being able to stand in the pocket, set his feet and throw to open receivers. Yes the throws were on the money, but there's a lot more to being a QB to that. (And none of this is criticism in the slightest -- he came in and nailed the throws.) But there is a lot more to the job. Even if Cliff were a better pure passer, Stevens brings a lot of stuff to the table so overall Stevens may be the best choice.
I'm just glad Clifford has gotten baptized a little bit so if McSorley were to get hurt and Stevens weren't ready, we know Cliff can run the offense.
To be honest, though, both Clifford and Stevens have taken the same number of meaningful snaps at QB so far in their careers.
Exactly this. Stevens is an excellent runner; Clifford is an excellent passer.
And that's what bothers me a little about how Franklin is managing the quarterback position. He's got Trace in there with a 5 score lead in the 4th against an undisciplined Pitt team while two very capable backups wait on the sideline. Seems to have no problem with substituting other positions.
At this point I'd trade some quarterbacks for a few exceptional linemen. The two coming in are both in the Top 10 for dual QBs, and even Levis is no slouch.
I don't believe I have seen enough of Stevens and Clifford (who has looked good in only mop up to this point) to believe that PSU's 3 deep QBs would probably be starting at almost every other school.....
It's great for the backups to have success, which a talented backup would likely have in a blowout, but translating that into a QB being a star, clutch, big game QB like Trace is a big stretch.
I would not write Tommy Stevens off as a lessor passer than Clifford just yet. Franklin has said on a number of occasions that Stevens has a strong passing arm and he throws a good deep ball. Moreover, the man can run. Those are solid credentials for a QB in Franklin’s system. I’m also impressed with Clifford’s arm in the limited amount of action I’ve seen so far. I’ll hold off any judgement on his running ability as I haven’t seen enough to even hazard a decent guess. I still think Tommy has the inside track to start next year.
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The only player on the team more popular than the backup QB is the 3rd string QB!
I predict Clifford beats out Stevens in the spring, only to be beat out by Johnson in the fall. The biggest question is can Steven’s hold off Roberson for the 4th QB spot?
