Liam Clifford looking to make a name for himself at Penn State

For years, Sean’s been the bigger shadow in the Clifford family. After being picked in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, the Penn State Clifford-less void was filled with a younger wide receiver version: Liam.

In the blue and white, the brothers shared two seasons together, but the 2020 season that was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic deepened their relationship and elevated their games.

“We got to work out a ton together and kind of train that whole offseason together, which was fun,” Liam Clifford said. “I learned a ton from him, and I look up to him a lot.”

Sean’s work ethic not only left an impact on his brother but Penn State’s program as a whole: he was a strong Nittany Lion leader, but with a new season comes change and the opportunity for Liam to emerge.

Being tagged as ‘Sean’s little brother’ became his motivation to create a name for himself, but it doesn’t necessarily bother him.

“[Sean] set a great example, and he’s a great role model for me as well.” Liam Clifford said.

For the first two games, Liam was named the third starting wideout – a position that’s been full of questions of who would fill it throughout the offseason and even in these early weeks.

But that moment of being announced on the big screen was a milestone for the redshirt sophomore: “It was surreal…I think that’s something everybody always dreams of ever since they step on campus.”

Against West Virginia, Clifford made two receptions and had one explosive play for 25 yards. He took a majority of the snaps in the slot in the season opener, but in the matchup with Delaware, he was held to two yards.

Regardless, Penn State knows what they are getting with Liam: consistency.

“People don’t give him credit for how athletic he really is and how explosive he is, and I think that showed over the summer with all the work he put in,” Drew Allar said last week. “I always see him in the building and getting extra stretching in and making sure his body’s ready to go; he’s just very consistent as a football player and individual.”

Wide receiver coach Marques Hagans has demanded stability from the entire wide receiver room, which has correlated with the depth at the position for the Nittany Lions.

In each game, Allar connected with nine different targets and shied away from forcing the ball to any given zone. The quarterback’s poise allows him to work through his progressions and find whoever might be open on any given play.

Especially in Penn State’s 63-7 victory over the Blue Hens, several players who might be considered “twos” in the depth chart saw playing time and a chance to compete.

Head coach James Franklin has truly valued those opportunities to evaluate his roster while maintaining the message that “the standard is the standard” when determining who will see those reps come game-time.

Despite a player’s ranking on a depth chart, Franklin expects his guys to prepare as if they are all starters.

“Are you preparing as if you are the starter right now? Because if you don’t, then this time next year, you’re going to be upset with your role because you’re not going to be ready,” Franklin said.

Liam Clifford has emerged as one of the leaders in the wide receiver room and credits Hagans for also “being that leader for [him].” Clifford focuses on making sure the younger players are also learning along with him at practice or in the film room.

Because of having an older brother who’s a quarterback, he can tap into that mindset when reading the opposition and running routes. As a receiver typically lining up in the slot, he understands the importance of bringing that comfort level and trust to Allar.

“I see where that’s kind of where I can have a big advantage,” Liam Clifford said. “Just kind of knowing the defense and reading my triangle and kind of seeing the corner and the safety and the linebackers and knowing what’s going on.”

That ability and awareness are a direct result of the work he puts in throughout practice and extra dedication during the week.

Overall, consistency appears to be the key to continuously earning the start even if there’s in-squad competition, but that’s not a worry for Liam Clifford.

He focuses on “just being the same guy every day, doing [his] job [and] coming in knowing what [he’s] supposed to do, knowing all the different positions” in order to hopefully remain that third starting wide receiver.

Amanda Vogt is a sophomore studying broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amandaevogt@gmail.com