# Will Clapp

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Clapp
> Source revision: 1351727541
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{{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](/source/New_Orleans_Saints) in 2021
| current_team = New Orleans Saints
| number       = <!---64, 76, 77--->
| position     = <!---[Center](/source/Center_(gridiron_football))---> [Offensive assistant](/source/Coach_(American_football))
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1995|12|10}}
| birth_place  = [New Orleans, Louisiana](/source/New_Orleans%2C_Louisiana), U.S.
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| height_ft    = 6
| height_in    = 5
| weight_lb    = 314
| high_school  = [Brother Martin](/source/Brother_Martin_High_School) {{nowrap|(New Orleans)}}
| college      = [LSU](/source/LSU_Tigers_football) (2014–2017)
| draftyear    = 2018
| draftround   = 7
| draftpick    = 245
| pastteams    =
* [New Orleans Saints](/source/New_Orleans_Saints) ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})
* [Los Angeles Chargers](/source/Los_Angeles_Chargers) ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
* [Buffalo Bills](/source/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](/source/List_of_All-SEC_football_teams) ([2016](/source/2016_All-SEC_football_team), [2017](/source/2017_All-SEC_football_team))
| statlabel1   = Games played
| statvalue1   = 66
| statlabel2   = Games started
| statvalue2   = 22
| pfr          = ClapWi00 
}}

'''Will Clapp''' (born December 10, 1995) is an American former professional [football](/source/American_football) player who was a [center](/source/Center_(gridiron_football)) for eight seasons in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL). He currently serves as an offensive assistant in the NFL for the [New Orleans Saints](/source/New_Orleans_Saints). He was selected by the Saints in the seventh round of the [2018 NFL draft](/source/2018_NFL_draft), and played in the NFL for the Saints, [Los Angeles Chargers](/source/Los_Angeles_Chargers), and [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [LSU Tigers](/source/LSU_Tigers_football).

==Early life==
Clapp attended [Brother Martin High School](/source/Brother_Martin_High_School) in [New Orleans, Louisiana](/source/New_Orleans%2C_Louisiana). He committed to play football for the [LSU Tigers](/source/LSU_Tigers_football) 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](/source/true_freshman) in 2014 and chose to [redshirt](/source/redshirted). 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](/source/qb_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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Carolina_Panthers) as a substitute for [Michael Ola](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Jameis_Winston), [Trevor Siemian](/source/Trevor_Siemian), and [Taysom Hill](/source/Taysom_Hill) after spending his first three years with [Drew Brees](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Joe_Brady_(American_football_coach)), 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](/source/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](/source/Lisfranc_fracture) 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](/source/New_Orleans_Saints) hired Clapp as an offensive assistant under head coach [Kellen Moore](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Will Clapp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Clapp) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Clapp?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.