Sean Clifford being chosen in the fifth-round by the Green Bay Packers was one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 NFL Draft, but the organization had its sights set on a key attribute of the Penn State quarterback’s game.

“It’s to bring the intelligence that this kid has and just being a really good fit I think, both in that room and then in our locker room, too,” Packers director of football operations Milt Hendrickson told reporters, via ESPN. “Because the kid’s got some gamer to him which we really like and his personality when he’s here really came through. And I just think he’s going to be a really good fit, the person as much as he is a player, too.”

The Packers made Clifford the 11th quarterback chosen in the draft. He’ll have the opportunity to compete for the role of Jordan Love’s primary backup, in an offense with plenty of weapons, including dynamic second-year wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.

Cifford was widely viewed as a potential undrafted free agent, but with Jordan Love primed to replace Aaron Rodgers as the Packers’ starting quarterback this season, it is obvious Green Bay valued Cifford’s experience during his career in Happy Valley.

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Prior to being chosen No. 149 overall by the Packers, Clifford appeared in 51 games for the Nittany Lions, completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 10,661 yards with 86 touchdowns to 31 interceptions, while leading Penn State to New Year’s Six Bowl victories in the Cotton Bowl and Rose Bowl. 

At age 24, Clifford arrives in Green Bay with plenty of big game experience.

Clifford is one of six former Penn State players chosen during the 2023 NFL Draft.

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