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Oh, Hello: 2017 OH QB Sean Clifford Commits to Penn State

The 4-star quarterback from Cincinnati is Penn State's first verbal commitment for the Class of 2017

By Matt de Bear

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Sean Clifford, ladies and gentlemen!

Stats:

Home/HS: Cincinnati, OH/St. Xavier

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 203 lbs.

Starz 'n Sheetz:

Stars: 4* 24/7 Composite, Rivals, Scout

Offer Sheet: Akron, Boston College, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Missouri, Northwestern, Pitt, Toledo, West Virginia

Cinema:

The Tale:

Sean is a relative newcomer to Penn State's Class of 2017 board. He camped at PSU back in late June, and earned his offer from the staff following that standout performance. That story may sound familiar, as it's very similar to the path that brought 2016 QB commit Jake Zembiec to Happy Valley.

Every coach will tell you that the biggest thing with any QB recruit a staff is pursuing is to evaluate them in person. Film is great to get a feel for someone, but probably more than any position on the field, you want to see what a kid can do with your own eyes. Sean clearly passed that test with quarterback coach Ricky Rahne last month, and is the first name to add to PSU's Class of 2017.

Outlook:

When Sean arrives on campus in about 2 years, it is really anyone's guess what the QB room will look like. One way or another, Christian Hackenberg will be but a headliner in PSU's record books. The only question is whether 2017 is the first or second year in "life after Hack". Zembiec, along with Trace McSorley, and Tommy Stevens will be the other 3 scholarship QBs on campus at that point. McSorley will be a redshirt junior, with Stevens figuring to be a redshirt sophomore, and Zembiec a redshirt freshman. That sort of experience would figure to mean a redshirt for Cliford as well, but 2 years out, it is anyone's guess.

The other obvious question is what does this mean for Hunter Johnson, the 5-star, #1 ranked 2017 quarterback. The short answer is, who knows. For a time, PSU was not against taking two QBs in the class of 2016, if the right option presented itself (such as a Dwayne Haskins). It's way too early to say if that would be the case for 2017, but one would figure Johnson is still a take should be wish to become a Nittany Lion.

You can follow Sean on the website Twitter dot com, @seancliff13.

Welcome to Penn State, Sean!

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