Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, who had previously been named to watch lists for the Maxwell, O’Brien and Wuerffel awards, is now on the list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
…& another one 👌#WeAre | @SeanCliff14 pic.twitter.com/Ff7YwSc51L
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) July 29, 2022
The award, named for the legendary 19th century coach, has been presented annually since 1967, and is awarded to college football’s “most outstanding player.”
USC’s O.J. Simpson was the first player to win it, doing so in 1967 and ‘68, and Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker is the most recent winner.
In 40 of the 55 years its been presented, the Walter Camp Winner has also won the Heisman Trophy, starting with Simpson in ‘68.
Clifford is entering his sixth season with Penn State’s program and, barring something unforeseen, will be the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback for the fourth year in a row.
In 2021, Clifford threw 3,107 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 61% of his passes.
If Clifford stay healthy this season, he’s a solid bet to break Penn State’s all-time touchdown record, currently held by his predecessor, Trace McSorley.
The most recent Penn State player to win the Walter Camp Award is former running back Larry Johnson, who did so in 2002.
John Cappelletti is the only other Penn State player to receive the honor. Cappelletti won the Walter Camp in 1973, the same season he became Penn State’s only Heisman Trophy winner.
Clifford is the only Penn State player on the Camp watch list.
Former Penn State quarterback Will Levis, now Kentucky’s starter, is also on the list.
Levis backed up Clifford through most of the 2019 and ‘20 seasons, starting a game in each year.
