When it comes to projecting the depth chart at my position on Penn State’s roster in 2021, the quarterback position is pretty darn easy to do. Sean Clifford is locked in as the starting quarterback as he enters his third year in the role after succeeding Trace McSorley. The issue Penn State faces is a lack of experience behind him.
One of the biggest questions during the spring was what Penn State would be able to do to address the lack of experience behind their starting quarterback. If Clifford is injured or seems off track as he was at the start of the 2020 season, Penn State head coach James Franklin doesn’t exactly have a quarterback he should feel too comfortable in throwing out on the field in the heat of the action.
Or does he?
The possibility of adding a transfer quarterback that fits what Penn State is trying to do offensively with new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Yurcich was atop the offseason to-do list for Franklin and the Nittany Lions. Franklin stressed Penn State would be reluctant to add a transfer quarterback just to add one and instead insisted it was important to find someone who was the right fit. As camp nears its opening, no transfer quarterback has made his way through the transfer portal to Happy Valley, suggesting Penn State either never found their ideal fit on the market or they missed out on the best option.
Is it Sean Clifford or bust for the Penn State offense, or has Franklin gained more confidence in what the Nittany Lions have behind him on the depth chart?
Here’s a look at the projected quarterback depth chart for the 2021 season.