Trace McSorley and Sean Clifford, Penn State’s last two starting quarterbacks, were both released from their respective NFL teams on the final roster cut-down day as training camps wrapped up. McSorley was cut by the Washington Commanders, while Clifford was released by the Green Bay Packers, making both free agents.
McSorley, who has had several opportunities as a starting quarterback, played in nine NFL games for two different teams. However, his career completion rate stands at just 51.6% with one touchdown and five interceptions out of 93 pass attempts. At 29, this training camp with the Commanders might have been his final chance to secure a long-term spot in the league.
Clifford, on the other hand, had a brief stint with the Packers, attempting just one pass and appearing in only two regular-season games during his single season with the team. The Packers traded for Malik Willis, a former Liberty quarterback, to replace Clifford as Jordan Love’s backup.
Meanwhile, Will Levis, a 2023 second-round pick, is preparing for his first full season as the Tennessee Titans’ starter. Last season, he threw for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games. Although Levis is viewed as the Titans’ potential quarterback of the future, he never got the opportunity to challenge Clifford for the starting role at Penn State. Clifford ended his college career as the program’s all-time leading passer, though he never managed to defeat Ohio State.
The outcomes for McSorley and especially Clifford, who has the physical size to play in the NFL, might suggest that James Franklin needed to improve the talent at the quarterback position during his time at Penn State. This shortcoming could be a significant factor in why Penn State has lagged behind Ohio State and Michigan, both of which have won national championships since Franklin’s arrival at Happy Valley.
In 2022, Franklin addressed this issue by recruiting Drew Allar, the top QB prospect in the country. Now a junior, Allar faces high expectations to elevate the Nittany Lions into the College Football Playoff. However, questions remain about both his ability and the talent surrounding him.
If Allar fulfills his potential, he could be an early-round pick in the NFL Draft as soon as this spring. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds with a strong high school background, Allar has a better chance of sticking in the NFL than McSorley or Clifford ever did. A standout season could quickly make him a highly sought-after prospect.
Since Franklin took over Penn State in 2014, Ohio State has produced three first-round NFL quarterbacks: Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and C.J. Stroud. Even Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy was selected 10th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft.
