Days away from the Tigers’ season opener, LSU football coach Les Miles announced the final two starters on the offensive line — redshirt freshman guard William Clapp and junior guard Josh Boutte.
“It looks like Will Clapp will start at one of them, and Josh Boutte at the other,” Miles said.
Although Clapp and Boutte will be making their first start as Tigers, they will join three veteran starters in junior left tackle Jerald Hawkins, junior center Ethan Pocic and senior right tackle Vadal Alexander, who have 73 starts combined.
When he steps onto the field Saturday, Clapp will be the second in his family to do so, joining his father, Tommy, who played defensive tackle for the Tigers from 1984-1987.
Boutte, on the other hand, played in all 13 games on special teams and made four appearances on the offensive line in 2014.
Along with Clapp and Boutte, Miles said highly-touted freshman offensive guard Maea Teuhema will see some action at guard against McNeese State.
“He’ll play in there at left guard certainly,’ Miles said. “Just to keep everybody fresh.”
Miles excited for former LSU commit Breaux
Eight years ago, Delvin Breaux was a top-20 cornerback recruit, who had committed to play for LSU until he suffered a season-ending neck injury during his senior year.
“We had him evaluated as the top corner on our board,” Miles said. “He committed, and we were thrilled as we could be. He had a very unfortunate accident. It didn’t make any difference to us. He was on scholarship the entire way.”
Breaux never played a down for the Tigers because doctors considered playing “a significant risk” to his neck, which Miles said disappointed the LSU coaching staff because “we so wanted him to play.”
After playing in the Canadian Football League for Hamilton Tiger-Cats for two seasons, Breaux signed with his hometown New Orleans Saints in January and will be competing for a starting job in the Saints secondary this season.
“I’m so glad for him,” Miles said. “I just want him to be everything he wants to be. He’s a very quality person. I’m so glad that he’s strong, healthy and capable.”
Miles ‘sold’ on scholarship offer to son
For Miles, one scholarship offer hit a little closer to home this season when LSU extended an offer to his son, Ben Miles.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” Les said. “I see a guy that is pleased as he could be and recognizes the great strength that LSU has. He went through the same process everybody else went through. He’s very humbled by it.”
Les joked that he has a long-standing relationship with Ben, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound fullback out of Catholic High School.
“The dad is sold, I’ll tell you that,” Les joked. “I think there’s a coaching advantage.”
Notebook: Clapp, Boutte to start at guard spots
By Morgan Prewitt - The Daily Reveille
September 2, 2015
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