Ray-Ray McCloud Bio
Raymond McCloud III is a prominent figure in American professional football. Born October 15, 1996, he is a wide receiver and return specialist celebrated for his performance on the field. McCloud is currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons, a proud team operating under the National Football League (NFL). However, his skills in the sport originated during his college football days at Clemson.
McCloud’s story began at Sickles High School, Tampa, Florida. There, he played as a running back for the Gryphons football team. In his senior year alone, he impressively rushed for 1933 yards, scoring 17 touchdowns. His high school football career also saw him accomplish 5765 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns.
In July 2014, McCloud agreed to play for the Clemson Tigers. He selected them over celebrated teams such as Alabama, Auburn, and Florida. This decision would significantly influence his future in professional football.
During his freshman year in 2015, he played in 12 matches, successfully catching 29 passes for a total of 251 yards and one touchdown. He showed exceptional spirit despite missing three games due to a knee injury. The following year, as a sophomore in 2016, McCloud participated in 14 out of 15 Clemson’s games, missing one due to an ankle injury. These 14 games saw him spectacularly make 49 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns – a significant contribution to Clemson’s National Championship win.
2017, McCloud’s junior year, witnessed him play in all 14 of Clemson’s games, achieving 49 receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 25 punts for 303 yards and one touchdown. Soon after the season, he announced he would be entering the 2018 NFL draft.
His decision to enter the draft led him to be selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round as the 187th pick. He soon made his first professional catch in week 3 during a 27-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, combined with a 13-yard punt return. Despite showing promise, he was waived by the Bills in August 2019. A day later, he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, only to be waived again in October.
Fortunately, just two days later, McCloud was signed to the Bills practice squad. Besides serving as a wide receiver, he functioned as the scout team quarterback, replicating the style of opposing mobile quarterbacks. He secured a contract with the Bills on January 6, 2020, but was waived in July.
In August 2020, McCloud signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The following year, he signed a contract extension with the team, rapidly becoming the Steelers’ primary return specialist. In 2021, he led the NFL in total punt-return yards gained and secured 39 receptions for 277 receiving yards in the season alone.
In March 2022, McCloud inked a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. In week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he scored his first professional touchdown from an 8-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo. Despite experiencing few injuries, he finished the season with 14 receptions for 243 yards and one receiving touchdown. The following year, he was placed on injured reserve in December but was back in action in January 2024. He ended the 2023 season with 12 receptions for 135 yards. That same season, the 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII, albeit lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In March 2024, McCloud signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Despite the many team changes and trials in his career, it’s clear Raymond McCloud III remains committed to the game and determined to excel. Off the field, he is also the older brother of quarterback, Jordan McCloud. It’s evident the passion for football runs strong in the McCloud family.