Best Penn State Nittany Lions Quarterbacks All Time
The title of “Best Penn State Quarterback” is pretty subjective, so I’ll try my best to provide some objective data about the quarterbacks who have come through Penn State over the years and let you be the judge.
Best Penn State QBs of All Time
Nittany Lions Most Passing Yards
Here are the QBs ranked by most passing yards. While passing yards tell a major part of the story, I’m a bigger fan of completion percentage when it come to rating Penn State QBs. You’ll notice that Sean Clifford has the highest completion percentage with Daryll Clark’s percentage rate coming in second while still holding him at 7th overall in total yardage.
| Rank | Player | Years | CMP | ATT | % | YDS | TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Clifford | 2018-2022 | 833 | 1356 | 61.4 | 10,661 | 86 | 31 |
| 2 | Trace McSorley | 2015-2018 | 720 | 1215 | 59.3 | 9,889 | 77 | 25 |
| 3 | Christian Hacekneberg | 2013-2015 | 693 | 1235 | 56.1 | 8,457 | 48 | 31 |
| 4 | Zack Mills | 2001-2004 | 606 | 1082 | 56.0 | 7,212 | 41 | 39 |
| 5 | Matt McGloin | 2009-2012 | 513 | 894 | 57.4 | 6,390 | 46 | 19 |
| 6 | Tony Sacca | 1988-1991 | 401 | 824 | 48.7 | 5,869 | 41 | 24 |
| 7 | Daryll Clark | 2006-2009 | 444 | 738 | 60.2 | 5,742 | 43 | 16 |
| 8 | Chuck Fusina | 1975-1978 | 371 | 664 | 55.9 | 5,382 | 37 | 32 |
| 9 | Kerry Collins | 1991-1994 | 370 | 657 | 56.3 | 5,304 | 39 | 21 |
| 10 | Anthony Morelli | 2004-2007 | 460 | 821 | 56.0 | 5,275 | 31 | 19 |
Many may argue that Trace McSorley is the best when you look at his impressive 2016 and 2017 single season records. There is also a point to made around “active years” when you compare Sean Clifford and Trace McSorley.
Clifford operated pretty heavily as the starter for the Lions for four years compared to McSorley’s three years. McSorley also had three consecutive winning seasons when he became the starter.
Passing Yards – Single Season
- Trace McSorley (2016) – 3,614
- Trace McSorley (2017) – 3,570
- Matt McGloin (2012) – 3,271
Passing Yards – Single Game
- Christian Hackenberg (2014) – 454 v/ UCF
- Sean Clifford (2021) – 401 v/ Villanova
- Zack Mills (2002) – 399 v/ Iowa
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Complete List of the Penn State Nittany Lions Quarterbacks Past Twenty Years
List Nittany Lions QBs showcasing the years when each operated as the primary starter. Many players were redshirted and played as backups their first few years.
- Sean Clifford (2019-2022)
- Trace McSorley (2016-2018)
- Christian Hackenberg (2013-2015)
- Matt McGloin (2010-2012)
- Rob Bolden (2010)
- Daryll Clark (2008-2009)
- Anthony Morelli (2006-2007)
- Michael Robinson (2005)
- Zack Mill (2002-2004)
Current Penn State Quarterback – Drew Allar
Drew Allar, born in 2004, is the current quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He hails from Medina, Ohio, where he attended Medina High School and established himself as a standout player. During his high school career, Allar accumulated impressive statistics, throwing for 9,103 yards and 98 touchdowns over three seasons as a starter.
Allar joined Penn State in January 2022 as an early enrollee. In his freshman year, he served as the backup quarterback, appearing in nine games. His collegiate debut came in the 2022 season opener against Purdue. Throughout his first season, Allar completed 35 of 60 pass attempts for 344 yards and four touchdowns, while also contributing 52 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.
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Notable Penn State Nittany Lion QBs
According to the popular votes on Ranker, The top five QBs from Penn State date back to the 70’s with players like Chuck Fusina. So let’s break down their top five players in hopes of giving more context to who qualifies as the “Best Penn State Quarterback of All Time”.
Note: The voting for these QBs seems to be based more on popularity and future NFL success versus actual results while playing for Penn State. Clifford, Penn State’s passing yards leader is 9th on Ranker’s list.
5. Chuck Fusina
Chuck Fusina had an outstanding career at Penn State, leading the Nittany Lions to a 29-3 record as a starter. In 1978, he won the Maxwell Award and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Fusina’s college stats were impressive, with 5,382 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. While his NFL career was limited, he found success in the USFL, leading the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars to back-to-back championships in 1984 and 1985.
4. Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson’s versatility made him stand out at Penn State. In 2005, he led the team to a Big Ten title and was named Big Ten MVP and co-Offensive Player of the Year. His senior year stats were remarkable: 2,350 passing yards, 806 rushing yards, and 28 total touchdowns. Robinson transitioned to fullback in the NFL, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 and winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.
RELATED: MICHAEL ROBINSON NET WORTH & CAREER EARNINGS
3. Todd Blackledge
Blackledge led Penn State to a national championship in 1982, earning the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top quarterback. He finished his college career with 4,812 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. Blackledge was selected seventh overall in the 1983 NFL Draft but had a relatively short NFL career, playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. Kerry Collins
Collins had a stellar career at Penn State, leading the team to an undefeated season in 1994. He won the Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award that year, throwing for 2,679 yards and 21 touchdowns. Collins had the most successful NFL career among Penn State quarterbacks, playing for 17 seasons, earning two Pro Bowl selections, and leading the New York Giants to Super Bowl XXXV.
1.Trace McSorley
McSorley holds numerous Penn State records, including most passing yards in a single season (3,614). He led the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten championship in 2016 and a Fiesta Bowl victory in 2017. While his NFL career was pretty limited so far, his college achievements and leadership make him a top Penn State quarterback.
