UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt senior quarterback Sean Clifford was selected as one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award on Thursday.
Clifford joined Pitt's Deslin Alexandre and Oregon's Alex Forsyth as finalists for the honor.
The finalists were picked by the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee for demonstrating a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field.
Sean Clifford · R-Sr.+ · QB · 6-2 · 212 · Cincinnati, Ohio · St. Xavier
- Has played in 50 games, making 45 starts, while in his fourth season as Penn State's starting signal caller.
- Clifford joined Jonathan Sutherland as the only four-time team captains in program history.
- Named All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media.
- He was a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy.
- The redshirt senior currently sits as the all-time leader at Penn State in passing yards (10,382), passing touchdowns (84), completions (817), attempts (1,335) and completion percentage (.612), while tying first in wins as starting quarterback (31) and ranking third in passing efficiency (142.6) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,073).
- Clifford ranks seventh in Big Ten history with 10,832 career passing yards and sixth with 11,456 career total yards. Clifford's 84 passing touchdowns, good for fourth in Big Ten history.
- Clifford is one of seven current FBS quarterbacks and one of three Power Five conference quarterbacks with 10,300 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in his career.
- He ranks ninth among current FBS quarterbacks and fifth among Power Five conference quarterbacks with 10,382 career passing yards.
- The captain is one of eight current FBS quarterbacks with at least 10,300 passing yards and 80 passing touchdowns in his career.
- Clifford is one of 11 current FBS quarterbacks with at least 810 career completions and ranks seventh among current FBS quarterbacks with a 61.2 completion percentage (min. 1,330 attempts).
- Clifford earned Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week following his performance at Purdue, tallying 282 passing yards and tied a career high with four touchdown passes against Purdue. He also rushed for a 2-yard touchdown.
- Clifford completed 23 passes against Minnesota, tallying 295 yards and four touchdowns. The senior was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following the Minnesota game.
- Clifford completed 32 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio State.
- Against Michigan State, Clifford threw for 202 yards and tied a career-high with four touchdowns.
Clifford presented a $15,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre County. That contribution included a $10,000 gift from Allstate, thanks to Clifford's placement on their Good Works Team. Another $5,000 came from Clifford's personal NIL-related proceeds. Since Clifford arrived at Penn State, he has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition, Clifford started Limitless NIL. His new agency focuses on helping college athletes venture into the NIL space. As CEO, Clifford hopes to make a difference in the lives of his fellow athletes and for the next wave of recruits coming into this new-look NCAA.
The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award will be announced in Frisco, Texas on February 23, 2023. The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field.
The winner will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school's athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle.
Penn State Football Recognized As Award Semifinalists/Finalists
Abdul Carter: Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award (Finalist)
Sean Clifford: Jason Witten Man of the Year Award (Finalist), Wuerffel Trophy
Manny Diaz: Broyles Award
Joey Porter Jr.: Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy
Chris Stoll: Mannelly Award (Finalist, Winner)
Jonathan Sutherland: William V. Campbell Trophy
No. 11 Penn State is returning to the Rose Bowl Game for the first time since the 2016 season when the Nittany Lions take on Pac-12 foe No. 8 Utah on Monday, January 2 at 5 p.m. The game will air on ESPN.
The Nittany Lions had 23 All-Big Ten selections, including 10 on offense, 10 on defense and three on special teams.
The 2022 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.