Penn State Football: Sean Clifford Drafted by Green Bay Packers in Fifth Round

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, center, was named Offensive MVP for the 2023 Rose Bowl after the Nittany Lions defeated Utah 35-21. Photo by Alysa Rubin | Onward State

By

Ben Jones

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April 29, 2023 – 2:41 pm

Longtime Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is headed to Green Bay, the Packers selecting Clifford No. 149 overall in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. Clifford is Penn State’s 10th QB selected in the NFL Draft and the third QB selected in the James Franklin era.

Clifford had long been linked to the Packers who are in the midst of a quarterback change following the departure of longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Former first round pick Jordan Love is expected to be the primary option for the Packers in the starting role. Nevertheless, Clifford’ ascension to the NFL ranks marks the end of a seemingly endless journey for the longtime Nittany Lion.

Clifford leaves Penn State with a bevy of program records to his name including being the Nittany Lions’ all-time leader in completion percentage (.612) completions (817), passing yards (10,382), passing touchdowns (84), and pass attempts (1,335).

Overall Clifford is the fifth Penn State player to be drafted this year midway through the fifth round of seven. He joins Joey Porter Jr., Brenton Strange, Juice Scruggs and Ji’Ayir Brown among those selected. The first three all came during the second round while Brown was drafted during the third round on Friday night.