When redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Clifford first arrived on campus, he didn’t wow teammates with his accuracy and decision-making. He threw interceptions; he misread coverages.
But something else impressed his teammates.
During Clifford’s first few 7-on-7s that rookie year, wideout DeAndre Thompkins watched him closely between each drill. Sure, he looked like a freshman. And, sure, he was far from perfect. But the signal-caller followed Trace McSorley around the practice facility like a chick to its mother. He asked questions, received advice from backup Tommy Stevens and tried his best to digest the offense. “You can kind of tell and see his drive, trying to be a perfectionist, trying to make sure he makes the right reads at the right time,” Thompkins said.