NEW YORK, NY – LSU junior Will Clapp has been named one of three finalists for the 2017 Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding center in college football, the committee announced Monday.
Clapp was named to the watch list for both the Rimington and Outland trophies in July. The three-year starter is joined by Alabama’s Bradley Bozeman and Ohio State’s Billy Price as finalists.
The winner of the Rimington Trophy will be presented live during the ESPNU Red Carpet Show on Thursday, December 7, 2017, immediately preceding the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Both shows will originate from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
The winner of the Rimington Trophy is selected by determining the consensus All-American center pick from three existing All-America teams. While more than a dozen All-America teams are selected annually; the Rimington Trophy committee uses the Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America to determine a winner.
Clapp has started at three different positions over the last three years. The New Orleans, Louisiana has started 35-straight games throughout his career. Clapp has helped pave the way for Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams this season. They became the third duo in school history to feature a 1,000-yard rusher and 700-yard rusher in one season.
Guice this season rushed for 276 yards against Ole Miss and became the first player in Southeastern Conference history to rush for more than 250 yards in three games in a career. Clapp has also led the way for Guice’s 2,976 career yards, which are the fifth-most in school history.
Clapp has also led the way in protection for senior quarterback Danny Etling. Etling surpassed more than 4,000 career yards at LSU this season and has thrown for more than 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
“Will is deserving of this honor,” LSU offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said. “He is talented, intelligent and has a tremendous work ethic. All of these physical and mental attributes contribute to his success on the field. However, his love for the game and diligence in preparation are the things that set him apart from other players. Will does the things it takes to be considered one of the very best in the country.”
The winner will be recognized at the Rimington Trophy Presentation at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday, January 13, 2018.
LSU takes on Notre Dame on January 1 at noon CT in the Citrus Bowl. The game will be televised on ABC live from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.