University of Missouri Athletics

Clay was one of the most dominant offensive linemen to ever suit up for Mizzou, despite playing on Tiger teams that didn’t have sustained success. He was a consensus all-American in 1986 and won second-team all-America honors from the Associated Press in 1985. He was a third-team all-American by Football News as a sophomore. “Big John” was a three-time first-team all-Big Eight Conference pick (1984-85-86), joining former greats Johnny Roland, Gary Lane and Phil Bradley as MU’s only three-time all-conference selections during the Big Eight era. Even with opposing defenses keying on the Tiger running game, Clay helped pave the way for teammate Darrell Wallace to become the program’s all-time leading rusher at the time, including a 1,120-yard season in 1985, which was the second-best single-season rushing mark in program history. Clay played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Blue-Gray Game following his senior season, then became a first-round draft pick of the NFL’s Los Angeles Raiders. He played in the NFL for the Raiders and the San Diego Chargers, before a back injury cut his playing career short. The St. Louis, Missouri native has been a successful high school coach in the St. Louis area.