Will Clapp

New Orleans native and son of a former LSU defensive tackle and team captain, Clapp was literally born to play football for the Tigers. He signed with LSU as a consensus four star recruit but redshirted his first season on campus. Clapp wasted little time making his presence felt a year later, starting all 12 games (11 at right guard, one at left) and earning both a spot on the Freshman All-SEC team and even some Freshman All-American honors - and for good reason. Clapp did not allow a sack all season long and he helped clear lanes for Leonard Fournette, who simply set the school's single season rushing record with 1,935 yards. Despite switching to left guard, Clapp was similarly effective as a redshirt sophomore, again not allowing a sack while getting called for just one penalty in 11 games. He earned First Team All-SEC honors from league coaches and the media, enjoying especially impressive performances against Texas A&M - against whom Derrius Guice rushed for a single-game school record 285 yards - and Louisville in the Citrus Bowl, generating 11 knockdown blocks. With center Ethan Pocic graduating to the NFL (via a second round pick by Seattle), Clapp again was asked to change positions in 2017. For the second consecutive year he earned First Team All-SEC honors from league coaches. He also was recognized as a finalist for the Rimington Award as the nation's top center, quite an accomplishment given that it was his first season at the pivot. With his degree in hand and having started the past three years against SEC competition, Clapp opted to bypass his final year of eligibility and make the early jump to the NFL. BACKGROUND One of the top offensive lineman coming out of Louisiana ... Has family ties to the program as his father, Tommy, is a former LSU defensive tackle from 1984-87 ... A powerful run blocker ranked as a unanimous four-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports ... Listed as high as the No. 11 offensive guard nationally by 247Sports ... Member of the 247Sports Top 247, the Rivals250, and the Scout 300 ... Named to the Louisiana 5A All-State Team for the past two seasons ... Demonstrates extremely sound technique, loves finishing blocks and putting his man on his back ... Member of The Baton Rouge Advocate Second Dozen ... Coached by Mark Bonis.

in our view

Clapp is the opposite of Forrest Gump's box of chocolates - scouts know exactly what they'll get with him. He isn't the most athletic interior lineman in this class but possess the length, strength, experience in a pro-style offense and success against top competition to project as an early contributor in a power-based scheme.

strengths

Possesses good height for the position, along with broad shoulders and long arms with his weight evenly distributed. Good initial snap to step quickness, showing a powerful initial punch and good strength in his hands to latch onto and control opponents. Possesses the core strength and leg drive to generate movement at the point of attack, creating a surge with the torque and enough flexibility to turn defenders away from the ball-carrier. Despite only moving to center full-time in 2017, Clapp shows good awareness of his assignment downfield, showing enough functional athleticism to reach the second level. Calm in pass protection, sliding well laterally and utilizing his long arms to keep opponents at bay. Very competitive and flashes the nastiness to get OL coaches excited, looking to knock defenders to the ground and bury them. Possesses the length to slide back outside to guard in the NFL. Three year starter who showed toughness in playing through various injuries, missing just one game over his career (Southern Miss-2016). -- Rob Rang 1/14/2018

compares to

Graham Glasgow, Lions - Like Clapp, the 6-6, 310 pound Glasgow has more of a linear build than most interior linemen, which might have contributed to his playing center and both guard positions while at Michigan. Neither player is particularly nimble but each offers the sheer size, physical nature and positional versatility to earn Day 2 consideration with Glasgow - the 95th overall pick two years ago - coming off his second season as a starter in Detroit.

weaknesses

Possesses a relatively long, lean frame for a center with relatively narrow hips, lacking an ideal base. Has a frame more like a traditional offensive tackle but does not possess the foot speed to handle playing outside against NFL edge rushers. Top-heavy frame too often leaves Clapp off balance and getting knocked to the turf at the point of attack. This issue is also evident off the ball, where Clapp shows average change of direction, struggling to hit moving targets at the second level and is forced to lunge at defenders, resulting in some impressive blocks but some whiffs, as well. Inconsistent knee bend, losing allowing his pad level to rise and occasionally losing the leverage battle as a result. Missed most of the 2017 offseason after undergoing shoulder surgery, which will require a check by team doctors at the Combine. - Rob Rang 1/14/2018

One of the top offensive lineman coming out of Louisiana

Has family ties to the program as his father, Tommy, is a former LSU defensive tackle from 1984-87

A powerful run blocker ranked as a unanimous four-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports.com

Listed as high as the No. 11 offensive guard nationally by 247Sports

Member of the 247Sports Top 247, the Rivals250, and the Scout 300

Named to the Louisiana 5A All-State Team for the past two seasons

Demonstrates extremely sound technique, loves finishing blocks and putting his man on his back

Member of The Baton Rouge Advocate Second Dozen

Coached by Mark Bonis.

Parents are Heather and Tommy Clapp

Born Dec. 10, 1995

Father, Tommy, lettered on the defensive line at LSU from 1984-87 and was named a permanent team captain for the 1987 squad

Tommy finished his LSU career with 139 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks and started against Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl in 1985 and 1987

Majoring in sport administration.

2015

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0