Even if longtime starter Sean Clifford is the leader in the clubhouse, it’s hard to ignore Penn State’s quarterback room.
On the one hand there is Clifford, a player who is equal parts better than he gets credit for and exactly what he appears to be. Clifford is experienced, he is – to his credit – improved, but he is also seemingly coming up against his celling. In his three years as a starter Clifford has proven capable of steering Penn State to double-digit wins but also capable of the sort of miscues and limitations that have proven him to be as much a question mark as an asset. When he is good, Penn State can win any game they’re in. When he isn’t, they can lose any.
For whatever it’s worth, Clifford he has proven his quality as much in the moments someone else has been charged with stepping up in his stead as the good moments he has had on the field. Will Levis’ departure to Kentucky proved that Levis was indeed a fine a quarterback, but not a missed opportunity waiting in the wings. Ta’Quan Roberson was dealt a difficult hand against Iowa, but nowhere ready for the moment. Christian Veilleux’s brief appearance was serviceable but it’s difficult to asses a game against lowly Rutgers as absolute proof of competence, especially when his performance was more about risk management as it was play creation.
Opposite Clifford now is the alternative – a trio of Beau Pribula, Drew Allar and the aforementioned Veilleux. At face value it is an 180 degree turn from Penn State’s scant options at quarterback in 2020-21. Veilleux is the most seasoned of the crew, Allar the most anticipated as a five-star prospect and Pribula at least looks the part even if he has the most to prove.
The illusion of options is among the most interesting thing surrounding Penn State as March turns into April. None of Clifford’s three immediate competitors are going to be able to surpass his experience, which is his greatest asset – especially when you add road games at Purdue, Auburn and Michigan all fairly early in the year.
But the rest? It’s hard to really know what practice has looked like so far, the Blue White game now one of the more anticipated in recent memory assuming all four quarterbacks compete. Clifford might have the intangibles, but what if – Allar in particular – proves to be the better passer, even if his mental game is taking some time to get up to speed?
Enter offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich in his second year at the helm of Penn State’s offense.
Yurcich does not speak to the media frequently, which is not unique for a program that trots James Franklin out to the podium as the voice for all, but when he has, his praise for Clifford has been lukewarm at best. After meeting Clifford last spring, Yurcich had this to say about his newest quarterback.
“He prepares like a pro. I really like his preparation and his passion – it’s impressive to see him care so much about wanting to get better, wanting to win, competing every day,” Yurcich said a last April.
“Where he can improve the most is, you know, probably just the progressions and anticipation. There’s a lot new on his plate right now, and it’s one of those things where you kind of don’t know until you actually get thrown in there and have to feel it. He’s just got to get his eyes where they need to be more consistently. […] it’s just a matter of time it’s a matter of reps, and that’s what that’s what this spring is all about.”
Almost exactly a year later, Yurcich spoke to the media again following a Wednesday practice and effectively echoed his sentiments from a year prior.
“I think the biggest thing from Year 1 to Year 2 is just the fluidity of getting through the progressions and being able to anticipate,” Yurcich said. “The RPOs, he’s more well versed in the system in his second year, you can see that and I think he feels that right now. So it’s probably not one thing, it’s everything right now and more of a comfort zone. [Getting comfortable with] how I call it, what we’re looking for and what we’re trying to get done – more familiarity.”
One could dig up more glowing quotes about Clifford from Yurcich over the past year but they are few and far between. If nothing else it’s not an inspiring endorsement if Yurcich’s assessment of Clifford sounds more that of a first year starter than a potential fourth-year. Then again, Yurcich has never been one to pull his punches when talking about various offensive position groups.
For his part James Franklin has been – generally – more positive, but harsh public criticism of his starting quarterback doesn’t really do either party any good, especially last season with no reasonable alternatives. All the same Franklin’s loyalty to veteran players has often appeared to dictate personnel decisions and might be a deciding variable this time around. That said, it could also be put to the test if Clifford gives the program a reason to move on, or if a trio of backups force them too. Franklin has never been one to name starters in spring aside from one Saquon Barkley, but he also has no reason to in most cases to being with. Either way, he has steered far away from that option with Clifford so far this spring.
Back to Yurcich, this time on Pribula and Allar.
“I think both Beau and Drew, were coached extremely well in high school in different systems,” Yurcich said. “Our systems different than their systems [so it’s] just getting the verbiage down, being under center at times, being able to direct protections, even run checks at times. All of those things are probably the biggest – I wouldn’t say obstacles – but areas of growth right now for us with regard to the young quarterbacks, but they’re doing an excellent job. They were very far along because of how they were groomed in high school, so that they show a lot of arm talent. They have good feet. They have good pocket awareness, both of them. And right now to elaborate any further I just don’t have enough reps to be able to give you a full report.”
How much one can read between the lines is up for debate. In the end it seems difficult to imagine Clifford not doing enough to start. He has experience, has been better than he gets credit for, and ultimately the decision is about which quarterback gives Penn State the best chance to win. The sexy answer – and the long term answer – might be Allar, but the answer the actually results in more wins this season is probably Clifford. In a tie the call goes to the former starter, so Clifford will have probably have to lose the job with his performance this offseason and be beaten for it at the same time.
Time will tell if that’s how things actually pan out, and a Blue White scrimmage and/or practice will give everyone a glimpse of how the new faces are looking in the pocket. In the meanwhile we’ll just have to work with what we’ve got.
“We’re not going to waste any time on it externally. It’s impossible,” Franklin said earlier this spring of quarterback talk. “People are going to talk about you. […] and obviously when you recruit well, there’s excitement, which should I think that’s positive. I also think the competition is going to bring out the best in everybody. I think that’s going to be a really important part of this.”