The ever progressive thinking James Franklin has compiled quite the 2016 recruiting class — one that ranks in the top-10 nationally. However, with the commitment of 2017 quarterback Sean Clifford (St. Xavier/Cincinnati, OH), Franklin proved that it’s never too early to think down the road.

Blessed and excited that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at Penn State University! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/wz0poQEl4t

— Sean Clifford (@seancliff13) July 13, 2015

The 6-foot-2, 197 pound gunslinger was listed by Yahoo! Sports as a four-star prospect with a laundry list of offers, receiving attention from schools like Louisville, his native Cincinnati, and Pitt. Though he won’t be arriving on campus for another two years, Clifford will enter the fold at Penn State with much to prove, seeing as he won’t be the only highly-touted prospect vying for a starting job.

Clifford will enter a quarterback room that includes four-star recruit Jake Zembiec — who will be coming off his freshman season in Happy Valley — along with veteran Trace McSorely, Tommy Stevens, and Billy Fessler. Of course, the player they’ll all be attempting to replace — Christian Hackenberg — will be well on his way to making a name for himself in the NFL by that time. Zembiec appears to be the clear favorite to replace Hackenberg when the time comes, but his place atop the depth chart is far from guaranteed. Clifford enters the mix with an opportunity to learn the ropes, and — depending on how everything plays out — have an opportunity to become the starting quarterback at Penn State.

Though Penn State has ways to go before the post-Hackenberg era dawns, adding a solid gunslinger like Clifford will help make the transition much easier.

James Franklin again showed the nation why he’s one of the best recruiters on the planet by adding yet another four-star prospect to what Penn State fans everywhere hope will be another stellar recruiting class.

Welcome to the family, Sean!