James Franklin: Penn State football WR Liam Clifford to have a ‘good year’ in 2024

Entering the 2024 season, the Penn State football team needed a few players to step up and prove themselves. Specifically at wide receiver where the Nittany Lions lacked consistency last fall. A name that might surprise a few come Saturday is Liam Clifford who has worked himself into becoming a serious contributor in 2024. James Franklin praised Sean Clifford’s younger brother on Monday during his media availability.

Liam Clifford is in his redshirt junior season in 2024. He was a member of the 2021 recruiting class where he was a four-star wide receiver prospect. It has taken Clifford a few seasons to break through and find the field, but in 2023 he was able to contribute more than years prior.

Last season he accounted for 13 catches for 130 yards and appeared in all 13 games. But in 2024 James Franklin believes Clifford is capable of even more and he spoke about the redshirt junior’s growth on Monday.

“Liam, and I know you guys hate when I answer things this way, but it’s really not one specific area, it’s just overall. He’s more confident, more comfortable. He’s much more consistent, which is what it’s all about for all these guys at this level. I look at his college career in a lot of ways like his high school career. Just kept getting better every single year. Really had a dominant senior year. Had a really good junior year. And I think his college career is going about the same way.

“You know, he’s faster than I think people give him credit for. Got a big catch radius. I think he’s got a chance to be a playmaker for us this year. He’s shown flashes of that in the past. He comes from a football family as you guys know very, very well…”

Maturity is separating Clifford

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Maturity comes in all shapes and sizes in college football. How much playing time you receive and how you stick with the team is a large part of college football, especially in today’s era. Clifford has shown that maturity in year four and James Franklin has recognized it.

“He just has really matured. I think maturity in college football has a chance to win you games probably in a similar way that it’s impacted college basketball, when you can have an older veteran team or older veteran position. I think a lot of those things show up with Liam. But it would not surprise me at all and we are anticipating him having a really good year for us.”

Drew Allar could use reliable targets that can handle any environment and adversity. A wide receiver who can create separation, make consistent catches, and run block for the Nittany Lions. Liam Clifford is on track to fit that mold, now he needs to showcase that growth on the field Saturday against West Virginia.

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