{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Will Clapp | image = Will Clapp Cropped.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Clapp with the New Orleans Saints in 2021 | current_team = New Orleans Saints | number = <!---64, 76, 77---> | position = <!---Center---> Offensive assistant | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|12|10}} | birth_place = New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 5 | weight_lb = 314 | high_school = Brother Martin {{nowrap|(New Orleans)}} | college = LSU (2014–2017) | draftyear = 2018 | draftround = 7 | draftpick = 245 | pastteams = * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2021}}) * Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2023}}) * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2024}}) * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2025}}) | pastcoaching = * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2026}}–present) <br> Offensive assistant | highlights = * 2× First-team All-SEC (2016, 2017) | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 66 | statlabel2 = Games started | statvalue2 = 22 | pfr = ClapWi00 }}
'''Will Clapp''' (born December 10, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a center for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He currently serves as an offensive assistant in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints. He was selected by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft, and played in the NFL for the Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills. He played college football for the LSU Tigers.
==Early life== Clapp attended Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He committed to play football for the LSU Tigers in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web | last=Dixon | first=Shea | title=Clapp talks LSU commitment | website=247Sports | date=2013-01-12 | url=https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/Will-Clapp-commits-to-LSU-111065/ | access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref>
==College career== Clapp did not play as a true freshman in 2014 and chose to redshirt. In 2015, as a redshirt freshman, Clapp started all 12 games for the Tigers. He ranked third on the team in total snaps with 776 and knockdown blocks with 88, along with not allowing a sack all season.<ref name="Will Clapp Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209392525|title=Will Clapp Bio|publisher=The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics|access-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref> He was named to the 2015 Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secsports.com/article/14336220/2015-sec-all-freshman-football-team|title=2015 SEC All-Freshman Football Team announced|publisher=The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference|access-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref>
As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, Clapp started 11 of 12 games, missing one due to injury. He played 648 snaps, had 58 knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack for the second straight season.<ref name="Will Clapp Bio"/> He was named to the 2016 All-SEC football team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secsports.com/article/18212197/sec-announces-coaches-all-sec-teams|title=SEC announces Coaches All-SEC Teams|publisher=The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference|access-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref>
In 2017, Clapp started all 13 games for the Tigers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rotoworld.com/player/cfb/136157/will-clapp|title=Will Clapp-LSU Tigers-2018 Player Profile|publisher=RotoWorld|access-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref> He was named to the All-SEC Football Team for the second year in a row.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secsports.com/article/21678922/2017-all-sec-football-team-announced|title=2017 All-SEC Football Team announced|publisher=The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference|access-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref> After the season, he announced he was going to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_999de1ca-f6ff-11e7-88a5-2bc0d2fceb83.html|title=LSU center Will Clapp becomes sixth underclassman to declare for draft|publisher=The Advocate|access-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 4 1/2 | weight = 311 | dash = 5.39 | ten split = 1.81 | twenty split = 3.13 | shuttle = 4.92 | cone drill = 8.04 | vertical = 29.0 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 1 | bench = 25 | arm span = 31 1/4 | hand span = 9 5/8 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 4 3/8 | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/will-clapp/3200434c-4111-9505-2976-7976bcc07c4d |title=Will Clapp Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=130911&DraftYear=2018 |title=2018 NFL Draft Scout Will Clapp College Football Profile |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
===New Orleans Saints (first stint)=== Clapp was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round (245th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints pick LSU offensive lineman Will Clapp in 7th round|url=https://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2018/04/nfl_draft_2018_will_clapp.html|author=Lopez, Andrew|website=NOLA.com|date=April 28, 2018|access-date=June 30, 2018}}</ref> On May 10, 2018, Clapp signed his rookie contract with the Saints.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints sign six draft picks|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-sign-six-draft-picks-20646723|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|access-date=May 24, 2018|date=May 10, 2018}}</ref> He made his NFL debut on December 17, 2018, against the Carolina Panthers as a substitute for Michael Ola.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Luke |title=Saints rookie OG Will Clapp thrust into a big role for his NFL debut |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/2018/12/saints-rookie-og-will-clapp-thrust-into-a-big-role-for-his-nfl-debut.html |website=nola.com |access-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218211246/https://www.nola.com/saints/2018/12/saints-rookie-og-will-clapp-thrust-into-a-big-role-for-his-nfl-debut.html |archive-date=December 18, 2018 |language=en |date=December 18, 2018}}</ref> Clapp saw action in 14 games during the 2019 season, starting three.<ref name="Will Clapp D&C Summary" />
On September 26, 2020, Clapp was waived by the Saints and re-signed to the practice squad on September 29.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x6719|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=September 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Just, Amie |title=Saints re-sign former LSU OL Will Clapp to practice squad |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_889fed9e-0298-11eb-a895-77470c598ed4.html |website=NOLA.com |date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=October 8, 2020}}</ref> Clapp spent much of the remainder of the 2020 season alternating between the active roster and the practice squad,<ref>{{cite news |author=Just, Amie |title=Saints make 4 roster moves ahead of game against Lions |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_c8060b5e-05ad-11eb-aea7-c39bd177d4aa.html |website=NOLA.com |date=October 3, 2020 |access-date=October 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Just, Amie |title=Saints waive New Orleans native, ex-LSU guard Will Clapp |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_2d325cf0-09a8-11eb-99ec-077a4026bca2.html |website=NOLA.com |date=October 8, 2020 |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Just, Amie |title=Saints re-sign OL Will Clapp to practice squad, release practice squad WR Malik Henry |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_4d0f6138-0b3a-11eb-adcd-4fdf01ec7a2d.html |website=NOLA.com |date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Just, Amie |title=Saints to use Austin Carr, Juwan Johnson as COVID-19 replacements, activate Will Clapp too for game vs. Panthers |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_6516e968-1634-11eb-8dfb-0734c2adfb64.html |website=NOLA.com |date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Just, Amie |title=Saints sign WR Tommylee Lewis to 53-man roster, elevate 3 practice squad players for Bears game |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_9e7a3efa-1bc3-11eb-8187-7ff43fb7b357.html |website=NOLA.com |date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=November 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-presented-by-hancock-whitney-x7846 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-12052020 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |date=December 5, 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Spotrac transactions">{{Cite web |last=Spotrac.com |title=Will Clapp |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/will-clapp-25346/transactions/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=Spotrac.com |language=en-US}}</ref> playing in several games in the middle of the season before being permanently added back to the active roster,<ref>{{cite news |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-12192020 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref> though he also spent time on the reserve/COVID-19 list during the postseason.<ref>{{cite news |author=Johnson, Luke |title=Saints make flurry of roster moves, activate WR Tre'Quan Smith off injured reserve |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_caa658c2-5847-11eb-8820-13ecb4c5f322.html |website=NOLA.com |date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Saints' Will Clapp: Returns from COVID-19 list |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/saints-will-clapp-returns-from-covid-19-list/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=February 4, 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref>
Clapp re-signed with the Saints on April 20, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April |url=https://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/signings/2021/4 |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref> After starting the regular season on injured reserve,<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x4679|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=September 6, 2021|access-date=September 7, 2021|archive-date=September 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907004600/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x4679|url-status=dead}}</ref> Clapp was re-activated on October 2, spending the rest of the season alternating between the practice squad and active roster as with the previous year.<ref name="Will Clapp D&C Summary">{{Cite web |title=Will Clapp signs contract with Bills: What to know about the meme-famous center |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2024/03/22/will-clapp-meme-signs-buffalo-bills-what-to-know-about-center/73071832007/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Spotrac transactions" /> Clapp started three games in 2021, playing with the likes of Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, and Taysom Hill after spending his first three years with Drew Brees under center.<ref name="Will Clapp D&C Summary" />
===Los Angeles Chargers=== On April 26, 2022, Clapp signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Offensive Lineman Will Clapp |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-sign-will-clapp-2022-free-agency |website=Chargers.com |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref>
On April 6, 2023, Clapp re-signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers Re-Sign Will Clapp |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-re-sign-will-clapp |website=Chargers.com |access-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref> Following a season-ending health issue from starter Corey Linsley, Clapp was named the starting center in Week 4. He suffered a knee injury in Week 15 and was placed on injured reserve on December 18.<ref>{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Announce Roster Moves|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-announce-roster-moves-week-16-2023|website=Chargers.com|date=December 19, 2023}}</ref>
===Buffalo Bills=== On March 22, 2024, Clapp signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bills sign OL Will Clapp to one-year deal|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-ol-will-clapp-to-one-year-deal|access-date=March 22, 2024|website=BuffaloBills.com|language=en}}</ref> The move reunited Clapp with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who was an offensive assistant with New Orleans during Clapp's rookie season. On August 27, 2024, he was waived by the Bills,<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Alec |title=Buffalo Bills made these moves to get to initial 53-man roster |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/buffalo-bills-made-these-moves-to-get-to-initial-53-man-roster |website=BuffaloBills.com |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> but later added to their practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bills sign 16 players to 2024 practice squad |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-16-players-to-2024-practice-squad |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=BuffaloBills.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on September 26.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills sign OL Will Clapp to 53-man roster, add wide receiver to practice squad|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-ol-will-clapp-to-53-man-roster-add-wide-receiver-to-practice-squad|author=Jenkins, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=September 26, 2024}}</ref> He was waived on December 14, and re-signed to the practice squad three days later.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ventre |first1=Ralph |title=Bills make four roster moves prior to marquee matchup vs. Lions |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/transactions-four-roster-moves-week15-vs-lions |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=15 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Alec |title=Bills make four roster moves Week 16 |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-make-four-roster-moves-week-16 |website=buffalobills.com |access-date=18 December 2024}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints (second stint)=== On March 13, 2025, Clapp signed a contract to return to the New Orleans Saints.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints agree to terms with C/G Will Clapp|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/will-clapp-center-guard-nfl-free-agency-2025-new-orleans-saints-roster|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=March 13, 2025}}</ref> He suffered a Lisfranc injury in the team's first preseason game and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 12.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/jayden-peevy-defensive-tackle-roderick-daniels-jr-wide-reciever-seth-green-tight-end-new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-transactions-august-12-2025|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 12, 2025}}</ref>
On February 25, 2026, Clapp retired from professional football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sigler |first=John |date=2025-02-25 |title=Former Saints draft pick, LSU product Will Clapp calling it a career |url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2026/02/25/saints-draft-picks-lsu-will-clapp-retired-nfl-news/88868806007/ |access-date=2026-02-26 |website=Saints Wire |language=}}</ref>
==Coaching career== On March 3, 2026, the New Orleans Saints hired Clapp as an offensive assistant under head coach Kellen Moore.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saints add Will Clapp to coaching staff as offensive assistant|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/saints-add-will-clapp-to-coaching-staff-as-offensive-assistant|access-date=March 3, 2026|website=nbcsports.com|language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/players-roster/will-clapp/ New Orleans Saints bio] *[http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209392525 LSU Tigers bio] *[https://twitter.com/w_clapp?lang=en Twitter]
{{Saints2018DraftPicks}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Clapp, Will}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from New Orleans Category:American football centers Category:Los Angeles Chargers players Category:LSU Tigers football players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Brother Martin High School alumni Category:Buffalo Bills players