Clint Tapper (1988) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Clint Tapper

Induction:
1988

Clint Tapper developed into one of the finest offensive linemen in the history of Southern Miss football during his outstanding career at spanned the 1971 to 1973 seasons.
   He was an outstanding physical specimen that played with a lot of heart and determination and displayed a wonderful for the game and knowledge of the game that helped him become one of the school’s best.
   Tapper was one of the top offensive linemen in the state of Mississippi during his senior year and at Biloxi (Miss.) High School he earned all-Big Eight Conference, all Southern and honorable mention All-American honors. He also was picked to play in the state high school all-star game.
   After being recruited by many school, Tapper elected to sign with Southern Miss where he would join his older brother, John, who played defensive tackle for the Golden Eagles.
   After playing with the freshman team in 1970, spring practice of 1971 gave Tapper a chance to show what he could do and what he did was impress the coaching staff enough that they began to look at him as a possible starter at offensive guard. Tapper continued to improve throughout the spring and during August workouts and did earn a starting spot for the 1971 campaign.
   He didn’t let anyone down either as he lived up to pre-season expectations and quickly became one of the teams most consistent players on the line. That 1971 team stumbled coming out of the blocks that season losing five of its first six, but as the young team continued to mature, they caught fire down the stretch winning its last five and finishing 6-5. Tapper showed he could pass protect that season as the Golden Eagles developed into one of the country’s best passing units, averaging 174.4 yards per game through the air and ranking 21st in the nation.
   As a junior Tapper started to become one of the best offensive linemen in the South and continued to improve his size and strength with extra hours in the weight room. He had also started to develop into one of the true leaders of the team. The 1972 team struggled all season long, finishing 3-7-1, but that didn’t diminish the season that Tapper had. Game in a game out he dominated his opponent and the Golden Eagle attack looked to Tapper’s side of the line when they needed key yardage.
   The team would finish 6-4-1 in 1973, Tapper’s senior year, and Clint had his best season ever. Tapper was a true leader of this team as he helped rally them from a 1-4 start to win five of their final six games.
   When Southern Miss fans reflect back on Tapper and compare him to some of the great offensive linemen the school has ever had, he ranks right up at the top. It wasn’t so much his physical skills, although he was as talented as any of them, but his love of the school and the game of football and his dedication to that game, that will always keep him in the hearts of Southern Miss fans.