Will Clapp Bio
Will Clapp (born December 10, 1995) is an American professional football center for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 314 pounds, Clapp plays in the middle of the offensive line, a position that demands both size and intelligence. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and has also spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills. Over the course of his career, Clapp has earned recognition as a two-time First-team All-SEC selection during his time in college football.
Early Life and Background
Will Clapp was born on December 10, 1995, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in the city that would later become one of his NFL homes, attending Brother Martin High School, a well-known local program that has produced many college athletes. His high school years offered him the chance to develop as a football player and earn the attention of college recruiters around the South.
As a young athlete, Clapp committed to play football for the LSU Tigers in January 2014, choosing to stay close to home and represent the state flagship university. That decision placed him in one of the strongest football cultures in the Southeastern Conference, where he would eventually develop into a top collegiate offensive lineman.
Path to American Football
Clapp’s path to the NFL began at LSU, where he joined the Tigers as part of the 2014 recruiting class. He did not play as a true freshman in 2014 and chose to redshirt, preserving a year of eligibility. The following year, as a redshirt freshman in 2015, Clapp started all 12 games for the Tigers. He ranked third on the team in total snaps with 776 and recorded 88 knockdown blocks while not allowing a sack all season. His strong debut earned him a spot on the 2015 SEC All-Freshman team.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, Clapp started 11 of 12 games, missing one due to injury, and played 648 snaps with 58 knockdown blocks. He again did not allow a sack and was named to the 2016 All-SEC football team. In 2017, he started all 13 games for the Tigers and earned All-SEC honors for the second consecutive season. After that junior year, Clapp announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2018 NFL draft.
Will Clapp Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Will Clapp was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round, 245th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. He signed his rookie contract with the team on May 10, 2018, and made his NFL debut on December 17, 2018, against the Carolina Panthers, entering the game as a substitute for Michael Ola. In 2019, Clapp saw action in 14 games and made three starts, showing steady growth as an interior offensive lineman.
The following year, Clapp’s role fluctuated as he bounced between the active roster and the practice squad. He was waived by the Saints on September 26, 2020, and re-signed to the practice squad three days later. He returned to the active roster midseason, and although he also spent time on the reserve/COVID-19 list during the postseason, he remained a contributor on the offensive line.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2022-2023)
On April 26, 2022, Clapp signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, beginning a new chapter in his career on the West Coast. He re-signed with the team on April 6, 2023, securing another season with the Chargers. That 2023 season proved to be his most significant stretch of starts with the franchise.
Following a season-ending health issue from starting center Corey Linsley, Clapp was named the starting center in Week 4 of the 2023 season. He held that role until suffering a knee injury in Week 15, which led to him being placed on injured reserve on December 18. That stretch represented one of the longest sustained starting opportunities of his NFL career.
Buffalo Bills Era (2024)
On March 22, 2024, Clapp signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. The move reunited him with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who had been an offensive assistant in New Orleans during Clapp’s rookie season. He was waived by the Bills on August 27, 2024, but later added to their practice squad, and was promoted to the active roster on September 26.
Clapp’s time in Buffalo was marked by constant movement between rosters. He was waived on December 14, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad three days later. Despite the limited on-field role, his signing reflected the league’s continued interest in his versatility and experience at center.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, Clapp signed a contract to return to the New Orleans Saints, returning to where his NFL career began. He was listed as center, jersey number 76, on an active roster, bringing his career full circle back to his hometown team.
Unfortunately, Clapp suffered a Lisfranc injury in the team’s first preseason game and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 12, 2025. The injury cut short what was expected to be a meaningful role in his second stint with the Saints.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a center, Will Clapp’s strengths center on pass protection consistency and communication at the line of scrimmage. During his college career at LSU, he twice completed entire seasons without allowing a sack, demonstrating his ability to anchor against interior pass rushers. His experience across multiple offensive systems in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Buffalo has also made him a flexible veteran presence who can adapt to different schemes and quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clapp’s most notable milestones include his back-to-back First-team All-SEC selections in 2016 and 2017, the 2015 SEC All-Freshman honor, and being drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft. His NFL career has included stops with the Saints, Chargers, and Bills, and through the 2024 season he had appeared in 66 games with 22 starts, reflecting steady longevity in a physically demanding position.
Will Clapp Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Will Clapp’s on-field success is measured less by individual wins and more by his contributions to team performance and his personal milestones in starting roles. Over the course of his professional career, Clapp has logged 66 games played and 22 starts through the 2024 NFL season. While his role has fluctuated between starting, rotation, and practice squad duty, his career totals reflect a long, durable presence on multiple NFL rosters.
NFL Career Highlights
Clapp’s NFL highlights include making his debut with the New Orleans Saints in 2018, appearing in 14 games with three starts in 2019, and earning a starting role with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 after the injury to Corey Linsley. His through-the-2024 totals of 66 games played and 22 starts show sustained contribution as a backup and spot starter across multiple teams. In 2025, his return to the Saints marked a homecoming before a preseason Lisfranc injury ended his season.
Will Clapp Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Will Clapp’s parents and immediate family have not been widely reported in verifiable sources. What is known is that he grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, attended Brother Martin High School, and chose to attend LSU, the state’s flagship university, reflecting his deep roots in the region.
Personal Life
Information about Will Clapp’s spouse, children, or marital status has not been confirmed in available sources. His public profile has centered on his football career, from his high school days in New Orleans through his time in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a return to the New Orleans Saints for Will Clapp, where he signed a contract on March 13, 2025, to rejoin the team that originally drafted him in 2018. He was listed as an active center wearing number 76 and was expected to compete for a role along the interior of the Saints offensive line.
Clapp’s season, however, was cut short after he suffered a Lisfranc injury in the team’s first preseason game. On August 12, 2025, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve, ending his year before the regular season began. The injury was a significant setback for a player who had been looking to contribute meaningfully in his second stint with the franchise.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Clapp centers on recovery and his eventual return to the field. His long career, including 66 games played and 22 starts through 2024, suggests he has the durability to bounce back once healthy, though the timeline for his return and his next contract will depend on his recovery progress.