Post-OSU Update: Eugene Clifford was suspended from playing in the 2008 BCS Championship Game vs. LSU, as well as 2008 Spring Practice, due to a violation of team rules. In July of 2008, Clifford was arrested for punching two bar employees and, according to police, threatening to return with a gun and shoot them. Shortly after, he transferred to Tennessee State where he was allowed to play the 2008 season. Clifford then had back-to-back years winning Tennessee State’s Joe W. Gilliam Defensive Player of the Year Award, racking up 121 tackles and five interceptions combined over the two years. His 2010 season stats are unclear. Clifford went undrafted in 2011 and did not make the Baltiomore Ravens roster when invited to their camp. In 2013, he played for the Texas Revolution, an indoor football team. (updated: Aug. 2025)

Major: Management and Industry (2008)

Weight: 191 (2008), 190 (2007)

High School: Parade All-American … Ohio’s 2006 Division I Defensive Player of the Year … rated as the No. 3 recruit overall in Ohio and No. 25 in the nation rated as the No.3 overall prospect in the Midwest … recorded two interceptions in the 2007 Army All-American Bowl … collected 130 tackles and had four interceptions his senior season when he helped lead Colerain to a 15-0 record and the state championship … totaled 147 tackles and six interceptions as a junior while earning second team All-Ohio honors … possesses tremendous closing speed … squats 500 pounds, runs a 4.45 40-yard dash and has a 33-inch vertical jump … also a standout basketball player in high school.

Personal:  Son of Eugene Clifford and Veronica Staley … has five siblings … hopes to study business at Ohio State … enjoys music and video games … is a cousin of Pittsburgh Steeler Deuce Staley … joins former Colerain players Connor Smith and Tyler Moeller at Ohio State.