Ray-Ray McCloud III

Ray-Ray McCloud III's Biography

Raymond McCloud III was born on October 15, 1996, and since then, he has carved out a successful career as a professional American footballer. McCloud plays as a wide receiver and excels as a return specialist. After finishing his college football career at Clemson, he became a part of the Atlanta Falcons’ lineup in the National Football League (NFL). His journey went beyond playing as an individual; he evolved as an integral team player, gathered unique experiences on the football field, and faced challenges that honed his athletic prowess.

In his formative years, McCloud attended Sickles High School in Tampa, Florida, and became a crucial part of the Gryphons football team, functioning as a running back. During his senior high school year, he displayed an exceptional performance, rushing for a remarkable 1,933 yards while pushing his team forward with 17 touchdowns. When McCloud’s high school career culminated, he left behind a remarkable record of 5,765 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns.

In July 2014, after weighing his options carefully and considering offers from several esteemed institutions—Alabama, Auburn, and Florida—McCloud committed to the Clemson Tigers. His tenure at Clemson University proved to be equally rewarding and challenging.

McCloud’s college career kick-started in 2015, where his freshman year had him playing in twelve games. Despite missing three games due to a knee injury, he successfully caught 29 passes for 251 yards and scored one touchdown, proving his worth to the team. In 2016, enduring an ankle injury, he still managed to play in 14 games out of 15, contributing significantly to the Clemson team’s National Championship win that year. His outstanding skill resulted in 49 receptions with a total of 472 yards and two touchdowns.

In his junior year, in 2017, McCloud played 14 games, making 49 receptions for 503 yards, and scoring one touchdown. His all-rounded proficiency was evident as he also returned 25 punts for 303 yards while also scoring one touchdown.

Following his fantastic performance as a junior, McCloud declared his candidacy for the 2018 NFL draft, where the Buffalo Bills picked him in the sixth round as the 187th overall pick. His professional debut in Week 3 was marked with a stellar performance in a 27–6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Almost a year later, in August 2019, McCloud parted ways with the Bills only to be claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. However, his stint with the Panthers was short-lived.

In October 2019, McCloud returned to the Bills, serving in their practice squad in addition to serving as a wide receiver. He brilliantly portrayed the style of mobile quarterbacks that the Bills would face each week. January 2020 saw him signing a reserve/future contract with the Bills.

However, by July, McCloud was waived by the team, and by August 21, McCloud signed up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he stayed till March 2021. His experience with the Steelers was marked with significant achievements. He returned 28 kickoffs for 646 yards and returned 29 punts, averaging 10.7 yards for each. In 2021, McCloud led the NFL in total punt-return yards gained. He successfully recorded 39 receptions for 277 receiving yards for the season.

With his career graph rising, McCloud signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2022 and scored his first career touchdown in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He wrapped up the 2022 season brilliantly, managing 14 receptions for 243 yards and one receiving touchdown, aside from managing kickoff and punt return duties on special teams. Despite facing an injury in December 2023 and being placed on injured reserve, McCloud came back in January 2024, finishing the 2023 season with 12 receptions for 135 yards.

In the Super Bowl LVIII, despite the 49ers losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, McCloud created waves with a crucial 19-yard catch. After an intense season, in March 2024, McCloud took the next leap in his professional career by signing a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Apart from his flourishing football career, McCloud has always had a familial connection to the sport. He is the older brother of quarterback Jordan McCloud, further tying him to the field he passionately contributes to. The chronicle of Raymond McCloud III’s life is still being written today, as he continues to prove himself as a crucial asset on the football field. His is a story of resilience, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.