LSU football runs in the family for redshirt freshman center William Clapp. Clapp’s father, Tommy, played for the Tigers from 1984-1987, finishing his career as a team captain with 139 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks.
Despite his father’s illustrious career, Clapp doesn’t feel pressured to live up to the family name.
“Back when he played, he was here for a while—four years—so people still remember,” Clapp said. “He doesn’t put any pressure on me. He just likes to listen and see what practice was like and see how my classes are going. He’s never given me any type of pressure.”
Clapp made an impact on the offensive line this spring, showing versatility between the center and guard positions.
John David Moore earns scholarship
Sophomore fullback John David Moore has been awarded a football scholarship after walking on to the LSU program. LSU coach Les Miles called Moore into his office Thursday to tell him the good news.
“Coach Miles really wanted to respect all of the other walk-ons because they only have a limited amount of scholarships,” Moore said. “It was a big moment for me, but he very graciously told me in his office. I respected the way he chose to do that.”
Moore said the first two people he called were his mom and dad, who have been his No. 1 supporters during his football career.
“I was able to celebrate with them and it was just a lot of joy,” Moore said.
Moore came to LSU in 2013 as a walk-on freshman tight end. He was a redshirt freshman last season, playing in eight games as a tight end, fullback and on special teams. Moore switched to fullback full time in the spring and earned both the Alvin Roy Fourth Quarter Award and the Erik Andolsek Leadership Award after spring practices concluded.
Fournette wants LSU to be No. 1 return team
Sophomore running back Leonard Fournette handled most of the kickoff return duties last season for the Tigers, returning the ball for 625 yards and helping LSU become the No. 2 kickoff return team in the country. The Third-Team All-Southeastern Conference return specialist wants to headline the Tigers’ efforts in being the top return team in the nation this year.
“We did have the second best kick return team in the country. I feel like we worked hard on that,” Fournette said. “We’re just trying to be No. 1 in this upcoming season.”
Fournette said handling returns is no easy feat when guys are coming toward you at full speed, but he likes the challenge.
“I’m just trying to give us the best leverage,” Fournette said. “The ball is so high in the air and by the time it comes down and you catch it, they’re right there so your action has to be fast.”
Fournette will compete with freshman running back Derrius Guice for primary kick return duties.