Will Clapp

Will Clapp's Biography

Will Clapp is a professional American football center, currently representing the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). Born on 10th December 1995, Will was bitten by the football bug from a young age, a passion that stayed with him through high school and beyond. Will’s football journey started at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he made his mark as an exceptional football player. His prodigious performance attracted the attention of the LSU Tigers, who he committed to playing for in January of 2010.

However, Clapp’s freshman year at college in 2014 saw him choosing to redshirt. The year 2015 marked Will’s debut season, with him playing 12 games for the Tigers as a redshirt freshman. As a fledgling footballer, Will showed promise, playing 776 total snaps, 88 knockdown blocks and remaining sack-free throughout the season. His performance gained recognition when he was featured in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team 2015.

In his sophomore year, Clapp started 11 out of 12 games. Missing one game due to injury couldn’t deter his spirit, as he completed 648 snaps, 58 knockdown blocks, and maintained an impressive no-sack record for the second season. His good form saw him retained in the All-SEC football team of 2016.

The year 2017 saw Clapp play every single game for the Tigers. He was named to the All-SEC Football Team again that year, making it his second consecutive year on the team. Shortly after the season, he declared his intention to enter the 2018 NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility.

In the 2018 NFL Draft, Clapp was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round (245th overall). He signed his rookie contract with the Saints on May 10, 2018. His NFL debut was against the Carolina Panthers on December 17, where he was a fill-in for Michael Ola. He was part of 14 games for the Saints during the 2019 season, iconicly starting three.

The year 2020 marked a tumultuous period for Clapp as he was waived by the Saints on 26th September only to be re-signed to the practice squad three days later. The remainder of 2020 turned into a tumultuous journey of shuttling between the active roster and the practice team, coupled with variable playing time. Riding out this tumultuous phase, Clapp was re-signed to the Saints on April 20, 2021. After starting the regular season on injured reserve, Clapp was re-activated on October 2, keeping his football journey alive.

In 2021, Clapp found himself playing with Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, and Taysom Hill after three top-notch years with Drew Brees. On April 26, 2022, Clapp signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he re-signed a year later. Following developing health complications for starting center Corey Linsley, Will found himself playing starting center in Week 4, an adventure cut short by a knee injury, landing him on the injured reserve on December 18.

On March 22, 2024, the Buffalo Bills signed Clapp for a year. The transfer reunited him with Joe Brady, the Bills’ offensive coordinator, who Clapp crossed paths with during his rookie season with the Saints. Towards the tail end of August 2024, Clapp was waived by the Bills, only to be added to their practice squad later. On September 26, he was promoted to the active roster, giving him a fresh chance to shine on the football field.