The summer is in full swing. Penn State’s 2024 season is still a ways away, and while there’s plenty to cover in the coming months, there’s also time for some nostalgia. Over the next couple months (and maybe beyond), we’ll be catching up with former Penn State stars for a weekly interview series.
Kicking off the series? Penn State record-holder and long-time starting quarterback Sean Clifford.
Clifford spent six seasons with the Nittany Lions, starting from 2019-22. He totaled 32 wins, 86 passing touchdowns and 10,661 passing yards, all of which are program records for a quarterback.
Clifford, after a Rose Bowl triumph to close the 2022 season, was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. He served as the team’s backup QB behind breakout star Jordan Love last season and is now entering his second year in the league. We caught up with Clifford to talk about that and much more.
(This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)
Around this time last year, you were drafted by the Packers and things really started to get going. How would you describe how the last year has been in Green Bay?
“It’s been lots of learning. When you get to a place like Green Bay, especially in the position that I’m in, I mean, you’ve got Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, now Jordan, it’s a lot of information and a lot of fun to learn, grow and understand who you are as a player, and then take little details from the other guys as you watch the film and see Jordan play in person. To say, ‘Hey, I think I can do this or do that,’ and then you add things to your game. I’ve had a lot of fun, made some great relationships up here in Green Bay. Excited for Year Two.”
Jordan had a great year last year. You guys beat the Cowboys in Dallas in the playoffs. Was it surreal to be a part of that kind of season as a rookie? And what did you learn about yourself in terms of acclimating to the league?
“It definitely came in phases for me. When I first heard my name called, obviously I expected it. But I’m not blind to the fact that a lot of other people didn’t. I wasn’t invited to the Combine; a lot of people counted me out that way. But I’ve always felt like, in a way, I’ve been counted out. So it went right along with the story. And I was really happy to be in a place like Green Bay.
“But it’s one thing to get drafted, and it’s another thing to know you can actually play in the league. All the rookies are here now for those first phases of OTAs, and you’re drowning in information. But there were moments in that time where I really started to understand that I can make plays in this league and I can contribute. But it took me all the way until that summer camp with a full summer to study the playbook, dive into the film again. … I feel like I came into the role throughout the summer and into the preseason. And once I got that first one against the Bengals under my belt, that turned the lights on in my head that I can do this at a high level. Ever since then, it’s been about the process. Coach Franklin always talked about getting 1% better every day, and that’s all you can really control.”
When you look back on your Penn State career, I know people always make the joke that it was seven, 10, 20 years long. But to be here for a good while, leave as a record-holder, go out with a Rose Bowl win, now that you’re removed from it, what do you look back on most fondly on your career at Penn State?
“I think the number one thing is the teams I got to play on. Watching everyone’s careers pan out, whether it’s in football or life, there are so many successful people I got to interact with, and I got the opportunity to be in a locker room with. For me, it’s really reminiscing on that.
“I got engaged this January, and we’re getting married next year. But it’s funny, you go down the wedding list and there are so many teammates on the list that I played with in those six years at Penn State. Football is so all-encompassing, and you get to meet so many fantastic human beings. So that’s the number one thing. The wins are the wins, the losses are the losses. I learned a ton. I grew. I had tough times, good times. But at the end of the day, it’s about the relationships that you build, and that’s what stands the test of time.”
Speaking of relationships, I know you and Drew Allar built a bond. Drew still talks about how much you helped him. What was it like watching him in his first year as the starter?
“Super proud. Everybody sees the games, and that’s one thing. But I know the guy from the day-to-day grind. I know the guy who was waking up early in the morning, giving me a call and trying to learn more and asking me a bunch of questions. I remember that guy.
“So to see him succeed and stack wins, you know, I know he was disappointed in how the season turned out. They wanted to be in the College Football Playoff, obviously. But that’s every team. Things aren’t always going to go your way. So I’m excited for Drew in Year Two. I’m excited for Beau (Pribula) in Year Two. I’m excited for the whole team because I think they have a lot to prove. And I saw Drew and how talented he was. Whenever people ask me about Drew, I always talk about one of the first days he got to Penn State. I told my brother (Penn State wide receiver Liam Clifford) after our first throwing session, ‘I’m gonna have to be on my stuff every single day with this kid. He’s got a cannon.’ You could just see the talent pop off the charts.”
With Liam being there and Drew and Beau all the relationships you still have with guys on the offensive side of the ball, are you intrigued by new OC Andy Kotelnicki coming onboard?
“I actually got back on campus in the spring and had some cool conversations with the coaching staff about what they’re trying to accomplish. I like how he dresses things up. He moves people around. He’s unconventional in different ways, but he’s going to run his base plays, which is kind of how Matt (LaFleur) gets the job done in Green Bay. It’s cool because seeing how NFL football works, if you go about your base plays and dress them up with a bunch of different motions and shifts, that causes a lot of confusion for the defense and allows the offensive guys to play fast. That was the sentiment I got when I was talking to those guys.”
Are you going to be able to get to any games this fall? Have you looked into it?
“My dad, whenever the schedules come out he actually puts together a whole spreadsheet, and he sends it out to the whole family. So there’s a couple I’m figuring out if I can get to. The Washington game is definitely penciled into my calendar. But we’ll see. Life in the NFL is crazy, and I’m trying to stay focused on that. But I’ll be sure to book a couple flights. I’ll be there for at least one game, that’s for damned sure.”
Last one for you: are you eager to play with Penn State in the new college football video game? You missed out on it by a couple years, but Liam will be in it.
“I’m hoping they have a legacy package. That’s what I’m hoping for. I’m hoping I can get in there. I’ll pay the extra $20 to upgrade to the ultimate package if they have one (laughs). But no, I’m jacked up. It’s great for college sports. And there’s a lot of change, lot of conversations that need to happen in college sports. I’ve been blessed to be in some of those conversations and see how it’s going down. But the new era of college sports is upon us, and it’ll be cool to see how it pans out. But yes, I am very excited, and I will be one of the first purchasers of the new game.”
