Will Putnam Bio
William Putnam is an American professional football center for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 13, 2000, in Detroit, Michigan, he played college football for the Clemson Tigers before joining the NFL. Putnam signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and has since worked to establish himself as a promising young lineman at the professional level.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 137 kilograms, Putnam brings the size and build typically associated with the center position. His path from a multi-state high school career to one of the most visible programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and ultimately to the NFL, reflects steady development as an interior offensive lineman.
Early Life and Background
William Putnam was born in Detroit, Michigan, and spent part of his childhood in Chatham, Illinois. His early years were shaped by frequent moves tied to his father’s service in the United States Army, an experience that introduced him to new schools and teammates at a young age. This background of relocation helped him develop adaptability and resilience, qualities that would later prove useful in high-level football environments.
He attended Glenwood High School in Chatham before transferring to Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, during his junior year. The move followed his father’s military posting and career transition. At Plant, Putnam quickly became a notable offensive line prospect, earning recognition for his combination of size, technique, and football intelligence.
Putnam was selected to the 2019 All-American Bowl, one of the premier high school all-star games in the country. He was rated as a four-star recruit by major scouting services and attracted scholarship offers from several prominent programs, including Florida State, Auburn, Miami, Michigan, and Penn State. He ultimately committed to Clemson University, choosing the Tigers for their track record of developing NFL-caliber offensive linemen.
Path to American Football
Putnam’s introduction to organized football came through youth and high school programs in Illinois and Florida, where coaches identified his frame and footwork as suited for the offensive line. His selection to the All-American Bowl signaled his standing among the top interior linemen in his recruiting class and validated his decision to focus on the center position.
At Clemson, Putnam joined a program with a deep tradition of producing professional offensive linemen. He redshirted his first year and then earned a starting role, developing under position coaches who emphasized leverage, hand placement, and scheme versatility. His progression through spring practices and training camps prepared him for a starting role on one of the top offensive lines in the ACC.
Will Putnam Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Putnam enrolled at Clemson in 2019 and appeared in 11 games during his true freshman season, logging 192 offensive snaps while learning the team’s blocking schemes. The abbreviated 2020 season saw him start all 12 games at guard, finishing the year with 790 snaps. Clemson’s offensive line led the ACC in sacks allowed per game that season, a reflection of the unit’s cohesion and Putnam’s growing responsibility.
In 2021, he started 10 games and accumulated 633 offensive snaps, earning third-team all-conference recognition from Phil Steele. These three seasons provided a foundation of experience against top-tier competition and helped him transition from a depth piece into a reliable starter along the Tigers’ interior line.
Clemson Breakthrough (2022–2023)
During the 2022 season, Putnam moved to center as a first-year starter at the position and started all 14 games for the Tigers. He finished the year with 996 offensive snaps, the fourth-highest single-season total by a center in Clemson history. His performance at the pivot earned him a third-team All-ACC selection, confirming his development into one of the conference’s top interior linemen.
Putnam’s 2023 season further cemented his status as a team leader. He started all 13 games, served as a permanent team captain, and logged 953 offensive snaps while earning another third-team All-ACC nod. Over his final two college seasons, he started 27 consecutive games and provided stability at a position that demands communication and consistency.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–Present)
Following the 2023 college season, Putnam declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but went unselected. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2024, joining a roster in need of interior line depth. Shortly before the regular season, he was waived on August 27, 2024, and subsequently re-signed to the team’s practice squad to continue his development.
On January 6, 2025, Putnam signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders, securing his place on the offseason roster. His transition from undrafted free agent to practice squad contributor to reserve/future signing marked meaningful progress within the organization and positioned him for a potential expanded role in the seasons ahead.
Driving Style and Strengths
Putnam is recognized for his size, length, and technique at the center position. His college production at Clemson highlighted his ability to handle a high volume of snaps while maintaining communication along the offensive line. Coaches have valued his work ethic and football intelligence, traits that helped him climb from a practice squad role into a reserve/future contract.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Putnam’s career include his selection to the 2019 All-American Bowl, two third-team All-ACC honors in 2022 and 2023, and the distinction of ranking fourth in Clemson history for offensive snaps by a center in a single season. His undrafted signing with the Raiders and subsequent reserve/future contract represent significant professional achievements for a young lineman.
Will Putnam Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Will Putnam’s career is measured by starts, snaps, and team success rather than individual statistics. His on-field contributions supported Clemson’s offensive production across four college seasons, and his professional journey has progressed through practice squad development with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Clemson Highlights
Putnam started 39 games across his Clemson career, contributing to one of the most consistent offensive lines in the ACC. He earned third-team All-ACC recognition in 2022 and 2023 and was named a permanent team captain in his final season. His 996 offensive snaps in 2022 ranked fourth in Clemson history for a center in a single season.
Other Performances
Putnam appeared in the 2019 All-American Bowl as one of the top high school interior linemen in the country. His continued development through the Raiders’ practice system reflects the gradual progression typical of undrafted free agents who earn sustained professional opportunities.
Will Putnam Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Putnam is the grandson of Neil Putnam, a former head coach at Lafayette, reflecting a deep family connection to football. His father served in the U.S. Army, and the family relocated several times during Will’s youth, including a move from Illinois to Florida that shaped his high school career. This blend of coaching heritage and military discipline has influenced his approach to the sport.
Personal Life
Putnam grew up navigating transitions tied to his father’s military service, attending schools in Illinois and Florida before settling into his college and professional career. His family football background, including his grandfather’s coaching legacy, has remained a quiet but meaningful part of his identity as a player.
2025 Season Performance
Will Putnam enters the 2025 NFL season under a reserve/future contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, signed in January 2025. His standing on the roster provides an opportunity to compete for an expanded role along the team’s interior offensive line during organized team activities, training camp, and the preseason.
The Raiders’ offseason focus on offensive line development creates a path for Putnam to earn a roster spot or practice squad promotion. His college track record of 39 starts at Clemson, combined with two All-ACC selections, gives him a credible foundation to build on as he adjusts to NFL-level competition.
Putnam’s outlook for 2025 centers on continuing to refine his technique, build chemistry with teammates, and demonstrate the consistency required of an NFL center. His progression from undrafted free agent to a signed member of the Raiders organization underscores the steady momentum he has carried into his second professional offseason.