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Penn State quarterback Will Levis, Sean Clifford’s backup for much of the 2020 season, says he will transfer

Levis, known more for his running than his passing, started one game during the 2020 season and relieved Clifford in another. He will graduate in the spring and have three years of eligibility left

Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Illinois on Dec. 19.
Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Illinois on Dec. 19.Read moreBarry Reeger / AP

Penn State quarterback Will Levis, who backed up starter Sean Clifford for much of the 2020 season and was known more for his running than his passing, announced Thursday on Twitter that he will enter the NCAA transfer portal.

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Levis, of Madison, Conn., appeared in six games in 2020. He relieved Clifford at Nebraska in the season’s fourth game and completed 14 of 31 passes for 219 yards in a 30-23 loss. He started the next week against Iowa, but was lifted in favor of Clifford in the third quarter after losing two fumbles.

Being used more as a running quarterback, he appeared in each of the final four games, rushing 47 times while throwing only eight passes. For the season, he rushed for 260 yards and three touchdowns, and completed 60% of his throws for 421 yards and one score.

“I have decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal as a graduate transfer with three years of eligibility remaining,” Levis said in his Twitter statement. “Penn State will forever have a special place in my heart. I am extremely proud to be leaving here as an alumnus.”

Levis will graduate in the spring with a degree in finance from the university’s Smeal College of Business.

Levis’ other career start came in 2019 in a win over Rutgers. He rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries and completed 8 of 14 passes for 81 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson.

Reports from Lions247 and Blue-White Illustrated said that another Penn State player, linebacker Lance Dixon, also has entered the transfer portal. Dixon played in nine games during the 2020 season and in his only start, against Ohio State, he posted a career-high five tackles.

For the season, he had 10 tackles, including 2½ tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.

» READ MORE: Penn State acquires another graduate transfer in former Harvard lineman Eric Wilson