For the first time in his lengthy career at Penn State, quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] is going through a spring practice schedule with the same offensive coordinator as the season before. And although we are only a third of the way through Penn State’s spring practice schedule, offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Yurcich[/autotag] says he is seeing some good signs of progress in the development of Clifford in the offensive system.
Yurcich took some time to meet with the media after a practice earlier this week, and he touched on a wide range of topics, including the quarterback situation Penn State faces entering the 2022 season. Clifford’s return coupled with the addition of two freshmen quarterbacks in the Class of 2022 as early enrollees ([autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] and [autotag]Beau Pribula[/autotag]), not to mention the return of [autotag]Christian Veilleux[/autotag], makes for an interesting situation to keep eyes on. For Clifford, coming back and having a chance to work more with the same offensive coordinator could be beneficial for him and Penn State as well.
Yurcich recognized that Clifford is showing more comfort running the offense this spring, after having his first full system in Yurcich’s system a season ago. In Yurcich’s eyes, Clifford is making better decisions with the football and he is getting more adjusted to how to run the RPO.
I think the biggest thing from Year 1 to Year 2, and it’s only been through Practice 5, is just the fluidity of getting through the progressions and being able to anticipate. It’s RPOs, he’s more well-versed in the system in his second year. You can see that. I think he feels that right now. So it’s not probably one thing, it’s everything right now. Just more of a comfort zone with how I call it, what we’re looking for, what we’re trying to get done. More familiarity.
Clifford’s return for a sixth year hasn’t meant Yurcich has felt the need to spend less time with the super senior compared to the newest additions to the quarterback depth chart. Yurcich said it is in Clifford’s nature to continue to do everything he needs to improve his own set of skills.
We have certain meeting time in the offseason when we’re allowed to do [gather], so we’re a little bit restricted there. And you try to maximize with everyone. Sean is one of those guys that is ultra competitive everywhere, on the field and in the meeting room.
More from Yurcich on Clifford and how the offensive coordinator is spending his time working with his quarterbacks.
So I wouldn’t say there was extra time just because of him being very experienced. Because they all need the meeting time. I need to interact with them, and the relationships have to build, so I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily so.
The addition of Yurcich was an exciting one for Penn State a year ago after losing Ricky Rahne to be the head coach at Old Dominion. But the offense had its share of struggles last season, including a faulty running game. Clifford was also knocked out of two regular-season games and had a rough outing in the Outback Bowl to close out the season/
But maybe all Clifford needs is a little consistency to rely on. If that’s the case, then he should be in a good spot in a second season with Yurcich calling the offense.
Helmet sticker to Lions247 for the quotes.
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