Will Clapp Bio
Will Clapp (born December 10, 1995) is an American former professional football center who spent eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He currently serves as an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints. Clapp played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU) and built his reputation as a dependable, hard-working lineman at the center position.
Originally selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft, Clapp went on to play for the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills before returning to New Orleans. He earned two First-team All-SEC honors during his college career and is recognized as a steady interior presence who handled the responsibilities of a starting NFL center when called upon.
Early Life and Background
Will Clapp was born on December 10, 1995, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in a city with a deep football tradition, and the sport became a central part of his upbringing. Coming from a region that celebrates the game at every level, Clapp was exposed to competitive football from an early age and developed his skills in local youth and high school programs.
Clapp attended Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, where he played on the offensive line and emerged as a strong, technically sound prospect. In January 2014, he committed to play college football for the LSU Tigers, choosing to stay close to home and continue developing under one of the most respected programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). His high school experience laid the groundwork for the discipline and physicality that would later define his career.
Path to American Football
After committing to LSU in January 2014, Clapp arrived on campus as part of a talented recruiting class. He did not play as a true freshman in 2014 and chose to redshirt, a decision that allowed him time to grow physically and learn the Tigers’ offensive system. The redshirt year proved valuable, giving him the foundation he needed to step into a larger role the following season.
In 2015, as a redshirt freshman, Clapp started all 12 games for LSU and ranked third on the team in total snaps with 776, along with 88 knockdown blocks. He did not allow a sack all season and was named to the 2015 SEC All-Freshman team. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, he started 11 of 12 games, played 648 snaps, and again did not allow a sack, earning a spot on the 2016 All-SEC football team. These early achievements signaled that Clapp was on a clear path toward a professional career.
Will Clapp Career
Early Career (2017)
In 2017, Clapp’s final collegiate season, he started all 13 games for the LSU Tigers and was named to the All-SEC Football Team for the second consecutive year, earning First-team All-SEC honors for the second time. He finished his college career as one of the most consistent centers in the conference, having started 36 of 37 games across his three active seasons.
Following the 2017 season, Clapp announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft. His combination of experience, durability, and pass protection skills made him an attractive prospect for teams looking for depth and reliability along the interior offensive line.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2018-2021)
Clapp was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round (245th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft and signed his rookie contract on May 10, 2018. He made his NFL debut on December 17, 2018, against the Carolina Panthers, entering as a substitute for Michael Ola. In 2019, he appeared in 14 games and made three starts, gradually earning a larger role in the Saints’ offensive rotation.
His early years in New Orleans included movement between the active roster and the practice squad. In 2020, he was waived on September 26 and re-signed to the practice squad three days later, spending much of the season alternating between the two while also spending time on the reserve/COVID-19 list during the postseason. Clapp re-signed with the Saints on April 20, 2021, and started the regular season on injured reserve before being re-activated on October 2. He went on to start three games in 2021, playing alongside quarterbacks Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, and Taysom Hill after spending his first three years with Drew Brees under center.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2022-2023)
On April 26, 2022, Clapp signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He provided depth and versatility along the interior offensive line during his first season with the team. On April 6, 2023, he re-signed with the Chargers, continuing his role as a reliable reserve.
His responsibilities grew significantly in 2023. Following a season-ending health issue from starting center Corey Linsley, Clapp was named the starting center in Week 4. He started games for the Chargers before suffering a knee injury in Week 15, which led to his placement on injured reserve on December 18. Despite the setback, the stint demonstrated that Clapp could handle the duties of a full-time starting NFL center.
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 with New Orleans during Clapp’s rookie season. He was waived on August 27, 2024, but later added to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on September 26.
Clapp was waived again on December 14, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad three days later. His time in Buffalo reflected the journeyman nature of his career, moving between the active roster and the practice squad while remaining a dependable presence in the locker room.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025)
On March 13, 2025, Clapp signed a contract to return to the New Orleans Saints, the team that had originally drafted him. His return brought his career full circle and offered a chance to contribute to a familiar organization. The move was met with appreciation from the New Orleans fan base, who remembered his steady development in his first stint with the club.
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 brought an early end to his return season and, as it turned out, to his playing career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most meaningful milestones of Clapp’s career was his selection by the Saints in the 2018 NFL draft, the realization of a long-held professional goal. He went on to appear in 66 career NFL games and made 22 starts, a strong mark of durability for a player who spent portions of several seasons bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad. His two First-team All-SEC selections in 2016 and 2017 stand as signature collegiate honors, and his role as a starting center for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 remains one of the defining chapters of his professional journey.
Will Clapp Career Wins
Will Clapp’s professional resume is built less on box-score numbers and more on the steady, team-oriented contributions of an interior offensive lineman. Across his time with the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills, he appeared in 66 NFL games and started 22, serving as a dependable depth piece and, when called upon, a starting-caliber center. His work in pass protection, run blocking, and locker-room leadership made him a valued member of every team he joined.
Team and Individual Highlights
During his first stint with the Saints, Clapp made his NFL debut in December 2018 and went on to play 14 games in 2019, starting three. He earned Second-team All-SEC honors as a freshman in 2015, and First-team All-SEC recognition in both 2016 and 2017, capping his college career with consecutive All-SEC nods. With the Chargers, he took over as the starting center in 2023 and started games for an offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert, one of the league’s top young passers.
Other Performances
Clapp’s journeyman experience, which included stints on practice squads and injured reserve, showcased the resilience required of a long-career interior lineman. His 2015 SEC All-Freshman selection highlighted his early promise at LSU, and his promotion to starter with the Chargers in 2023 underscored the trust coaches placed in his preparation and ability.
Will Clapp Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Will Clapp was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city where football is woven into the fabric of daily life. He attended Brother Martin High School, a program known for producing competitive football players in the New Orleans area. While specific details about his parents and extended family are not widely documented, his strong ties to the New Orleans community are evident in his decision to attend LSU and in his return to the Saints later in his career.
Personal Life
Clapp has kept much of his personal life private. He is a United States citizen by nationality and spent most of his adult years playing in the NFL. Public information about a spouse, children, or other personal relationships is not currently documented in widely available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Will Clapp’s 2025 season was defined by his return to the New Orleans Saints, the team that originally drafted him in 2018. He signed a contract on March 13, 2025, rejoining the franchise during a transitional period and bringing veteran experience to the interior offensive line. The reunion was widely viewed as a positive move for both player and team, given Clapp’s familiarity with the Saints’ system and culture.
However, his season was cut short by a Lisfranc injury suffered in the team’s first preseason game. Placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 12, 2025, Clapp was unable to contribute on the field during the regular season. The injury marked an unfortunate end to his playing days, leading to his retirement from professional football on February 25, 2026, and the beginning of a new chapter as an offensive assistant coach with the Saints.
