Sean Clifford

Classroom

Clifford earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations last December.

He is currently pursuing a second degree in journalism, carrying a 3.45 cumulative GPA.

Character

Clifford is entering his third season as a team captain for the Nittany Lions.

Serving as Penn State Football’s leadership liaison for volunteer activities last fall, he was responsible for leading the team and encouraging his teammates to participate in volunteer activities throughout the community.

Clifford is also a member of Penn State’s Athletic Director’s Leadership Institute, which was established in 2007. It’s members are encouraged to enhance their leadership skills, consider their own leadership style, and ultimately create a personal leadership philosophy.

Community

Clifford is an active participant with the Reading Rewards Program, visiting elementary schools on a regular basis to read stories to classes and encourage the youth to read.

He is on the board, and previously served as President, for Penn State’s Uplifting Athletes. With the Life for Life event, Clifford has helped raise money each year for kidney cancer treatment and research. Since its inception in 2003, nearly $1.4 million has been raised.

Clifford also participates in TeamIMPACT with Penn State Football. Sawyer Bell, a nine-year old cancer patient, has been an honorary member of the team. Bell is currently in remission, but Clifford has been his biggest supporter the last two years. He often FaceTimed, had virtual game nights over Zoom, and had special school visits with Bell in the last few years.

Competition

Clifford is now in his third season as the starting QB for Penn State. He currently leads the Big Ten in yards per pass attempt (9.65), and ranks second in completion percentage (.717), completions per game (21.5), and passing efficiency (171.4).

He is one of only 12 current FBS QB’s with over 6,000 total yards and over 5,000 passing yards in his career.

In program history, Clifford is the all-time leader in passer efficiency rating (151.0) and completion percentage (62.0). He also ranks second in passing touchdowns (49),  third in touchdowns responsible for (58), fourth in career total yards (6,713), and fifth in passing yardage (5,890).