By Mark Pszonak
Not every former five-star high school recruit takes the same path to success. For offensive lineman Clay Webb, the road took a detour but is currently on a path that is moving him up draft boards after an impressive early showing during Senior Bowl practices.
Webb was a Class of 2019 recruit from Oxford, Alabama, who signed with Georgia over Alabama, Clemson and Auburn. However, after failing to make a significant impact with the Bulldogs, he entered the transfer portal on April 10, 2022. Three months later he quietly signed with Jacksonville State and head coach Rich Rodriguez.
In three seasons with the Gamecocks, he gradually reached his potential. Named a CUSA Second-Team performer in 2023 and First-Team performer in 2024, he firmly established himself as a mid-round draft pick heading into Senior Bowl practices. With the opportunity in front of him to once again prove himself against elite competition, Webb has shined this week:
I came away really impressed with Jacksonville State IOL Clay Webb in the Senior Bowl 1-on-1s. Showed he can hang vs top competition pic.twitter.com/nopDpDof4X
— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) January 29, 2025
Early reports have Webb performing as one of top two interior offensive linemen in attendance this week, along with North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel. If he finishes the week the same way, he is likely to move his way up a couple of rounds in April’s NFL Draft.
It is impossible to know how Webb’s collegiate career and NFL future would have turned out if he had stayed at Georgia, but the reality of his current situation shows that his transfer was the correct decision. Sometimes a change of environment is what is needed to light a spark with a player.
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That spark is leading Webb towards the NFL and a likely multi-year career that will bring him millions.
