Penn State Football: Top 10 Players of the 2000's

#4 Daryll Clark (Quarterback, 2005-2009): This might be a surprise pick for a lot of people but when I think about this list I look a lot of variables. Your impact on the field in terms of numbers, leadership on and off the field, what you meant to Penn State, and how the fans reacted to you. Clark was a lesser-known player as he came to Penn State in 2005. As a redshirt freshman in 2006 he saw little acton as the backup to Anthony Morelli. The 2007 season was a productive one for Clark who saw more action, playing in eight games. His most important action came in the Alamo Bowl against Texas A&M when the Lions were down 14-0. Clark gave the offense a spark and along with Morelli they were able to lead the team back and capture a 24-17 victory. When the 2008 season rolled around it was Clark who was the starter and would have one of the best seasons for a Penn State quarterback. The 2008 season was also the emergence of the "Spread HD" offense in which the team would use Clarks ability to both run and pass. It didn't hurt that he had senior wide receivers Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood. It was an impressive season for the Nittany Lions who would lose just one game during the regular season on their way to a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl matchup with Southern California. They would come up short losing to the Trojans 38-24. Clark was the leader of an offense that led the Big Ten in total scoring offense. 

In his last season in Happy Valley, the Youngstown, Ohio native entered the year still underrated even with the prior season he had. Clark would turn out an even better season. The debate sparked in the preseason if the signal caller was the best quarterback in the Big Ten. He proved that he could provide the leadership needed and it became clear that he should be recognized not only as one of the best players in the Big Ten, but the entire country. Clark would set the single season passing record with 3,003 yards. The record would later be broken by Matt McGloin. Along with those 3,000 yards, he would add 24 passing touchdowns to 10 interceptions and 7 rushing touchdowns. The 2009 season would end with an 11-2 record including a 19-17 Capital One Bowl victory over  LSU. 

Daryll Clark is very overlooked as one of the best quarterbacks in program history. His numbers don't lie and neither does his record. He finished 22-4 as starter and set the school record in career touchdown passes with 43 and set the single season passing touchdown record with 24. (Both tied with McGloin who accomplished both in 2012) 
Carrer Achievements:
-All-Big Ten (2008,2009)
-Schools All-Time Leader in career and single season touchdown passes