Will Clapp Bio
Will Clapp (born December 10, 1995) is an American professional football player and coach who spent eight seasons as a center in the National Football League (NFL). He currently serves as an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints. Clapp was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills before returning to finish his playing career in New Orleans. He earned two First-team All-SEC selections during his collegiate career at Louisiana State University (LSU).
Early Life and Background
Will Clapp was born on December 10, 1995, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Brother Martin High School in his hometown, where he developed as a football player during his high school years. His performance on the field caught the attention of college programs across the country.
In January 2010, Clapp made his college commitment, choosing to continue his football career at Louisiana State University (LSU). This early commitment signaled his potential as a collegiate prospect and set the stage for his development as an offensive lineman.
Path to Professional Football
Clapp arrived at LSU as a highly-touted prospect in 2014. He did not play as a true freshman and chose to redshirt the season, allowing him to adjust to the college level without losing a year of eligibility. This decision proved beneficial for his long-term development.
In 2015, as a redshirt freshman, Clapp immediately made his presence felt along the offensive line. He started all 12 games for the Tigers and ranked third on the team with 776 total snaps and 88 knockdown blocks. Most impressively, he did not allow a single sack throughout the entire season. His standout performance earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.
Will Clapp Career
LSU Tigers (2014–2017)
Following his impressive freshman campaign, Clapp continued to develop as one of the premier offensive linemen in the SEC. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, he started 11 of 12 games, missing one contest due to injury. He played 648 snaps, recorded 58 knockdown blocks, and did not allow a sack for the second consecutive season. His consistency and dominance earned him First-team All-SEC honors.
In his junior season in 2017, Clapp started all 13 games for the Tigers. His excellent play earned him Second-team All-SEC recognition for the second year in a row. After the season concluded, he announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft, concluding his collegiate career as a four-year contributor.
New Orleans Saints (First Stint, 2018–2021)
Will Clapp was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round with the 245th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. On May 10, 2018, he signed his rookie contract with the Saints, joining his hometown team. He made his NFL debut on December 17, 2018, against the Carolina Panthers, entering as a substitute for Michael Ola.
Clapp saw action in 14 games during the 2019 season, starting three of them. His role continued to expand as he gained experience at the professional level. In 2020, his tenure with the Saints became more fluid. On September 26, 2020, the Saints waived Clapp, but he was re-signed to the practice squad just three days later. He spent much of the season alternating between the active roster and practice squad, playing several games in the middle of the season before being permanently added back to the active roster. He also spent time on the reserve/COVID-19 list during the postseason.
Clapp re-signed with the Saints on April 20, 2021. After starting the regular season on injured reserve, he was re-activated on October 2 and spent the remainder of the season rotating between the practice squad and active roster. He started three games in 2021, working with quarterbacks Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, and Taysom Hill after spending his first three years with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
Los Angeles Chargers (2022–2023)
On April 26, 2022, Clapp signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, seeking a fresh opportunity with a new organization. He re-signed with the Chargers on April 6, 2023. Following a season-ending health issue for starting center Corey Linsley, Clapp was elevated to the starting role beginning in Week 4. He held the starting position admirably until suffering a knee injury in Week 15 that forced him to the sidelines. He was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2023, ending his season.
Buffalo Bills (2024)
On March 22, 2024, Clapp signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. This move reunited him with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who had previously served as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints during Clapp’s rookie season. The connection with Brady appeared to offer Clapp a promising opportunity in Buffalo’s offense.
However, his tenure with the Bills proved brief and eventful. On August 27, 2024, he was waived by the Bills but was later added to their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 26. He was waived again on December 14 and re-signed to the practice squad three days later, ending his first season with the Bills.
New Orleans Saints (Second Stint, 2025)
On March 13, 2025, Clapp signed a contract to return to the New Orleans Saints, marking a homecoming to the team that originally drafted him. His return was met with optimism as he provided veteran experience to the offensive line. Unfortunately, the season was derailed early when Clapp suffered a Lisfranc injury in the team’s first preseason game. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 12, 2025, ending his 2025 campaign before it began.
Playing Style and Strengths
Throughout his NFL career, Clapp established himself as a reliable interior offensive lineman. His collegiate success, particularly his ability to protect the quarterback without allowing sacks, translated to the professional level. His versatility allowed him to contribute both as a starter and a rotational player, demonstrating his adaptability to different offensive systems and team needs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clapp’s NFL journey included several notable milestones. His NFL debut with his hometown Saints in 2018 represented a dream fulfilled for the New Orleans native. His promotion to starting center with the Chargers in 2023, following Corey Linsley’s health issue, demonstrated his capability as a primary starter at the position. His career spanned eight seasons, including two stints with the Saints, bookending his playing career with the team that originally drafted him.
Will Clapp Career Statistics
Over the course of his NFL career, Clapp appeared in 66 games and started 22 of them. His collegiate career at LSU was equally impressive, starting 36 games across three seasons and earning recognition as one of the top offensive linemen in the SEC.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Total | 66 | 22 |
Will Clapp Coaching Career
Transition to Coaching
Following his playing career, Clapp transitioned to coaching. On February 25, 2026, he announced his retirement from professional football after eight seasons in the NFL. Less than a week later, on March 3, 2026, the New Orleans Saints hired Clapp as an offensive assistant under head coach Kellen Moore. This return to New Orleans marked a new chapter in his football career, allowing him to remain with the organization he first joined as a draft pick in 2018.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging year for Will Clapp. After returning to the New Orleans Saints in March, he was poised to provide veteran leadership along the offensive line. However, his season was cut short before it truly began. During the team’s first preseason game, Clapp suffered a Lisfranc injury, a foot injury that typically requires extended recovery time. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 12, effectively ending his final professional season before the regular season commenced.
This injury came at a significant juncture in Clapp’s career, as he was attempting to solidify his role with the Saints following his brief stint with the Buffalo Bills. Despite the setback, he remained with the organization and ultimately transitioned into a coaching role the following year, bringing his playing experience to help develop the next generation of offensive linemen.