How many reps did each of Penn State football's quarterbacks get this spring?
Even in the absence of a true competition for the top spot, the focus on Penn State’s quarterback position proved intense this spring.
A pair of talented true freshmen sparked most of the curiosity, with Beau Pribula and five-star prospect Drew Allar enrolling early. Returning for a sixth season, Sean Clifford leads the room, with a presumptive backup in the form of second-year signal-caller Christian Velliex.
Penn State head coach James Franklin arrived to his press conference after Saturday’s Blue-White Game with a complete breakdown of the spring pass attempts for each of his four QBs.
Sean Clifford: 201
Drew Allar: 134
Beau Pribula: 132
“Don’t overread into the two-rep difference, which I know somebody will make a big deal out of,” Franklin said, referencing the gap between Pribula and Allar. “But I thought that was good.”
Penn State QB Sean Clifford
Franklin said he felt Clifford posted his best spring since his arrival at Penn State.
In making that characterization, Franklin referenced a stockpile of data the Nittany Lions keep on their quarterbacks. That data includes completion percentage, explosive play percentage, and interception ratio. It factors in drops and missed assignments, too.
“What we try to do every day is we do daily data, and then I get a second sheet with cumulative data,” Franklin said. “So, it’s what your eyes tell you, what your experience tells you. And then you have the data to back it up to make sure your eyes and experience are driving you and leading you in the right direction.”
Clifford went 4-7 for 41 yards and a touchdown during limited action in the spring game.
Afterward, he highlighted the impact his midseason injury had on his subpar finish to the season.
“I think consistency was the number one thing just because last year I felt fantastic going through the first half of the season up until Iowa, if I’m completely transparent,” Clifford said. “The minute that I got injured, I just didn’t feel the same.
“Right now, it’s just making sure that I’m consistent. It’s making sure that I’m coming in every single day with a plan — the same way that I have for the past 100 years that I’ve been here.”
PSU QB Christian Veilleux
Franklin indicated postgame that he’s pleased with the spring Veilleux put together as well.
Taking over as Penn State’s No. 2 QB late last season, Veilleux won a game against Rutgers that Clifford pulled out of due to illness.
In total, he made two appearances and completed 16 of his 26 passes for 238 yards and three scores.
This spring, he derived success from that platform.
“Veilleux was able to build on the success that he had in the Rutgers game,” Franklin said.
He completed five of his 14 pass attempts in the Blue-White game for 75 yards.
Penn State freshman QBs Drew Allar and Beau Pribula
Pribiula and Allar have often been discussed in the collective by their teammates and coaches this spring. And their rep counts indicate that they’re being treated relatively similarly as well.
Asked about their learning curve this spring, Clifford explained that it’s not about what they don’t know — it’s about what they haven’t done.
“It’s just reps,” Clifford said. “They’re all talented but it’s just they haven’t played in a lot of games and college football is just a little different. But it’s not that they don’t know. I mean, it’s more so what they haven’t seen in the game yet.
Clifford explained that learning the signals can be like learning a new language for young quarterbacks — and all the other first-year players on offense.
“I think we tallied after our year last year, we had like 500 or maybe 600 signals,” Clifford said. “So we literally have a dictionary of words. So it’s getting in the playbook, making sure you know what those things mean.”
Allar’s first showing in the spring game saw him complete six of his 14 attempts for 61 yards. He also threw a pair of interceptions.
Pribula only tallied three passes during periods that were officially scored, but he got plenty of reps during unofficial seven-on-seven work. He took two sacks and completed two of his three attempts for seven yards.
“I feel that they look good coming in,” wideout Malick Meiga said. “It’s not high school anymore, but I feel that they’re doing a pretty good job. I love what they’re doing and it’s going to be great in the future.”
