Will Clapp isn’t letting a shoulder injury stop him from learning LSU’s new offense.
Despite being out for all of spring, the junior offensive lineman is picking up and taking in the Tigers’ new offense from the sidelines of spring practice.
“I’m seeing things I normally wouldn’t see as a player,” Clapp said. “I’m seeing more big picture things, so I think this is helping me. I learning big picture offense and I’m learning what everybody is doing and what it’s like to be a center.”
LSU coach Ed Orgeron said Clapp will be moved from guard to center, which is slight change for Clapp. The last two seasons, he was a versatile offensive lineman for LSU, playing left and right guard spots.
Center could have been his permanent position, if it weren’t for former offensive center Ethan Pocic.
During his redshirt freshman season, Clapp said he worked as the backup center on the roster, while Pocic played guard. The following season, LSU decided to flip the two and Clapp learned and settled in at guard.
Now, he’s relearning how to play center.
“As a center, you have to be able to know how the linebacker and safeties are rotating, and the amount of shifts we do and that’s all you have to know,” Clapp said.
Being in charge of making calls on the offensive line, won’t be a big adjustment for Clapp, playing guard, he often helped Pocic, make calls on the offensive line.
“I was always in there with [Pocic] just talking about it,” Clapp said. “We would always help each other out. Everybody knows the call. It’s just the center was making sure of setting everything in stone.”
With the transfer of center Andy Dodd, LSU’s roster only lists two centers, Clapp and freshman redshirt Lloyd Cushenberry.
Through spring, Cushenberry is taking majority of the first team snaps, with walk-on offensive lineman Michael Smith. Clapp, though, said he’s about “four weeks” ahead of his rehab schedule and will be ready for summer workouts.
The bigger adjustment for Clapp is having to develop a chemistry with the offensive line.
LSU will have to replace Pocic and former guard Josh Boutte along the offensive line, juniors Toby Weathersby and Maea Teuhema and Clapp are the three returners on the offensive line for LSU.
“We got some guys learning different spots,” Clapp said. “We’re going to have to make sure we have guys that are interchangeable and each guy can play multiple spots. There’s going to be some points where need to lock down communication and get it going.”
As for his new fiery offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, Clapp said for the offensive linemen, one of their main focuses is breaking the huddle and getting straight to the line.
“That’s a big part,” Clapp said. “Right when you break the huddle, everybody has to get down, because right when we’re set somebody is going to move, somebody’s coming across the ball.”
Orgeron said Canada plans to use spring to install “increments” of the offense, during the spring.
While at Pittsburgh, Canada often used offensive lineman for more than just blocking.
Some offensive lineman are usually shifted before the snap, especially tackles, who can sometimes catch passes or run the ball.
But, for Clapp he’s fine right where he is.
“I’ll stay inside,” Clapp said. “That’s where I like to be.”
