Penn State Football: Who will replace Tommy Stevens after transfer?

Senior quarterback Tommy Stevens has put his name in the transfer portal, but who will replace him for Penn State football in 2019?

Tommy Stevens time as a starting quarterback for Penn State lasted about one half of an offseason.

According to reports, the senior quarterback, and presumed starter for 2019, has put his name in the NCAA transfer portal as a grad transfer, making him immediately eligible.

Most programs, though, already have their starting quarterback situations figured out or at least pinned to a couple of guys which makes this move even more questionable. Could his health have forced him down the depth chart or does he not feel like he can beat out the guys who were once behind him?

No one knows for sure, but the plan for him is to transfer and be the undoubted starter wherever he decides to go.

But where does that leave Penn State? Trace McSorley is gone, too, which leaves the quarterback position wide open. Who replaces Stevens under center?

The obvious choice has to be former four-star and Ohio-native, Sean Clifford. He will battle it out with Will Levis, but all signs point to the sophomore starting for the Nittany Lions when the season begins.

Did the spring game make up Stevens’ mind?

That’s a fairly good bet as he wasn’t healthy enough to play and he witnessed Clifford taking that next step as both a passer and runner. He finished 11-for-18 with 118 yards and a touchdown all while leading the white team in rushing with 31 yards.

The choice is fairly obvious, but it’s nowhere near a done deal. Guys like Levis and Michael Johnson Jr. will give him a run for his money, but it’s his job to lose.

Stevens’ transfer decision may not be the worst news for Penn State as Clifford has a high ceiling and the senior has never truly been healthy.