Ray-Ray McCloud
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ray-Ray McCloud
| image = Ray-Ray McCloud (4664401) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = McCloud with the Buffalo Bills in 2018
| current_team = Atlanta Falcons
| number = 34
| position = Wide receiver
Return specialist
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|15}}
| birth_place = Tampa, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 185
| high_school = Sickles (Tampa, Florida)
| college = Clemson (2015–2017)
| draftyear = 2018
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 187
| pastteams =
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2019|2020}})*
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 152
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,454
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Rushing yards
| statvalue4 = 271
| statlabel5 = Rushing average
| statvalue5 = 10.8
| statlabel6 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| statlabel7 = Return yards
| statvalue7 = 4,125
| statlabel8 = Return touchdowns
| statvalue8 =
| pfr = McClRa00
}}
Raymond McCloud III (born October 15, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers.
Early life
McCloud attended Sickles High School in Tampa, Florida and played on the Gryphons football team as a running back.{{Cite web |last=Thomson |first=Peter |date=February 3, 2015 |title=Meet Tampa Sickles RB Ray-Ray McCloud |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-recruiting/os-ray-ray-mccloud-recruiting-bio-20150203-story.html |access-date=October 6, 2018 |website=OrlandoSentinel.com |language=en-US}} As a senior, he rushed for 1,933 yards and 17 touchdowns. For his high school career, he had 5,765 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud Bio |url=http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209875929 |access-date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=Clemson Tigers Official Athletic Site}} He committed to play football for the Clemson Tigers in July 2014, choosing them over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, and Florida.{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2014 |title=Four-star running back Ray-Ray McCloud commits to Clemson |url=https://www.si.com/college/2014/07/29/ray-ray-mccloud-commits-clemson-football |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}
College career
As a freshman in 2015, McCloud played in 12 games, catching 29 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud 2015 Player Statistics |url=http://www.cfbstats.com/2015/player/147/1070293/index.html |access-date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=cfbstats.com}} He missed three games due to a knee injury.{{Cite web |last=Amato |first=Michael |date=November 7, 2015 |title=Clemson's McCloud out vs. Florida State with apparent knee injury |url=https://www.thescore.com/news/875431 |access-date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=theScore.com}}
In 2016, as a sophomore, McCloud played in 14 of Clemson's 15 games, missing one due to an ankle injury.{{Cite web |title=College Football Injury Report: Week 11 |url=https://fansided.com/2016/11/11/college-football-injury-report-week-11/ |access-date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=fansided.com}} In those 14 games, he tallied 49 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns, helping
Clemson win the National Championship.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud 2016 Player Statistics |url=http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/player/147/1070293/index.html |access-date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=cfbstats.com}}
As a junior in 2017, McCloud played in all 14 of Clemson's games, tallying 49 receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 25 punts for 303 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud 2017 Player Statistics |url=http://www.cfbstats.com/2017/player/147/1070293/index.html |access-date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=cfbstats.com}} He was voted Honorable Mention All-ACC at the conclusion of the 2017 season.https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ray-ray-mccloud/32004d43-4341-7118-745c-2c9756292bc8 Following the season, he declared for the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Raynor |first=Grace |date=January 7, 2018 |title=Clemson junior receiver Ray-Ray McCloud to declare for 2018 NFL Draft |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/clemson-junior-receiver-ray-ray-mccloud-to-declare-for-nfl/article_1a0781f0-f3d5-11e7-a3f4-8b2662f844ac.html |access-date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=The Post And Courier}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| School ! rowspan="2"| Conf ! rowspan="2"| Class ! rowspan="2"| Pos ! rowspan="2"| G ! colspan="4" style="font-weight:bold;" | Receiving ! colspan="4" style="font-weight:bold;" | Rushing ! colspan="4" style="font-weight:bold;" | Scrimmage |
| Rec
| Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2015
| Clemson | ACC | FR | WR | 12 | 29 | 251 | 8.7 | 1 | 7 | 48 | 6.9 | 0 | 36 | 299 | 8.3 | 1 |
| 2016
| Clemson | ACC | SO | WR | 13 | 49 | 472 | 9.6 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 5.6 | 0 | 54 | 500 | 9.3 | 2 |
| 2017
| Clemson | ACC | JR | WR | 14 | 49 | 503 | 10.3 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 5.0 | 0 | 55 | 533 | 9.7 | 1 |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ray-ray-mccloud-1.html Career]
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 39 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 127 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 1,226 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 9.7 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 4 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 18 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 106 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 5.9 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 0 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 145 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 1,332 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 9.2 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 4 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 9 1/2
| weight = 190
| dash = 4.49
| ten split = 1.56
| twenty split = 2.56
| shuttle = 4.32
| cone drill = 6.89
| vertical = 34.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 5
| bench = 13
| arm span = 30 1/4
| hand span = 9 1/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ray-ray-mccloud/32004d43-4341-7118-745c-2c9756292bc8 |access-date=February 13, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1002683&DraftYear=2018 |title=2018 Draft Scout Ray-Ray McCloud, Clemson NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=December 16, 2022}}
}}
=Buffalo Bills (first stint)=
McCloud was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Murphy, John |date=April 28, 2018 |title=5 things to know about Ray-Ray McCloud |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/5-things-to-know-about-Ray-Ray-McCloud/ca41806f-4da7-439f-9bdc-b57f04769931 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501223730/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/5-things-to-know-about-Ray-Ray-McCloud/ca41806f-4da7-439f-9bdc-b57f04769931 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} In Week 3, in a 27–6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, he made his first professional reception and had a 13-yard punt return.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings – September 23rd, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201809230min.htm |access-date=October 6, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On August 31, 2019, McCloud was waived by the Bills.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Chris |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Bills cut roster down to 53 players |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-cut-roster-down-to-53-players |access-date=February 17, 2024 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}
=Carolina Panthers=
On September 1, 2019, McCloud was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web |last=Henson |first=Max |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Panthers part with Torrey Smith, Elijah Holyfield, Kevon Seymour to make three waiver claims |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-part-with-torrey-smith-elijah-holyfield-kevon-seymour-to-make-three-wai |access-date=February 17, 2024 |website=Panthers.com}} He was waived on October 15, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Bradley |date=October 15, 2019 |title=The Panthers have released Ray-Ray McCloud |url=https://www.catscratchreader.com/2019/10/15/20915439/carolina-panthers-waive-kick-punt-returner-ray-ray-mccloud |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Cat Scratch Reader |language=en}}
=Buffalo Bills (second stint)=
On October 17, 2019, McCloud was signed to the Bills practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Silagyi |first=Kyle |date=October 17, 2019 |title=Bills add WR Ray-Ray McCloud to practice squad |url=https://billswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/17/bills-add-wr-ray-ray-mccloud-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=February 17, 2024 |website=Bills Wire |publisher=USA Today}} In addition to serving as a wide receiver, McCloud served as the scout team quarterback, emulating the style of mobile quarterbacks the Bills face that week.{{Cite web |last=Fairburn |first=Matt |date=December 4, 2019 |title=Lorenzo Alexander said Ray-Ray McCloud is helping the Bills simulate Lamar Jackson in practice this week |url=https://twitter.com/MatthewFairburn/status/1202303548769415168 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |website=The Athletic via Twitter}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills on January 6, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Chris |date=January 6, 2020 |title=Bills sign 10 reserve/future free agents |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-10-reserve-future-free-agents |access-date=February 17, 2024 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} He was waived on July 27, 2020.{{Cite news |last=Glab |first=Maddy |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Bills release WR Ray-Ray McCloud III, OL Garrett McGhin |work=BuffaloBills.com |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-release-wr-ray-ray-mccloud-iii-ol-garrett-mcghin |access-date=July 28, 2020}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
File:WAS at PIT Photo 38 (50696281591).jpg
On August 21, 2020, McCloud signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 21, 2020 |title=Steelers sign McCloud |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-mccloud |access-date=October 17, 2020 |website=Steelers.com |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921004249/https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-mccloud |url-status=dead }} McCloud signed a one-year contract extension with the Steelers on March 11, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Varley, Teresa |date=March 11, 2021 |title=McCloud signed to a one-year contract |work=Steelers.com |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/mccloud-signed-to-a-one-year-contract |access-date=March 11, 2021}} McCloud became the Steelers' primary return specialist, returning 28 kickoffs for 646 yards and 29 punts with an average of 10.7 yards. He was named by Pro Football Focus on its All-Pro roster as a second-team return specialist.{{Cite web |last=Zasky |first=Jason |date=January 6, 2021 |title=3 Steelers Named to PFF's All-Pro Team |url=https://heavy.com/sports/pittsburgh-steelers/tj-watt-cam-heyward-named-to-pff-2020-all-pro-team/ |access-date=January 10, 2021 |website=Heavy.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Monson |first=Sam |date=January 4, 2021 |title=PFF's 2020 NFL All-Pro Team: Aaron Rodgers, Derrick Henry and Aaron Donald highlight PFF's All-Pro roster |url=https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-all-pro-team-aaron-rodgers-davante-adams-aaron-donald-and-t-j-watt-highlight-pffs-all-pro-roster |access-date=January 10, 2021 |website=PFF}}
In 2021, McCloud led the NFL in total punt-return yards gained.{{Cite web |title=Punt Returns 2021 Season |url=https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/punt-returns/2021/REG/all/puntreturnsyards/DESC |access-date=March 22, 2022 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} He recorded 39 receptions for 277 receiving yards on the season.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McClRa00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=San Francisco 49ers=
On March 22, 2022, McCloud signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.{{Cite web|title=49ers Sign WR Ray-Ray McCloud|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-wr-ray-ray-mccloud|website=49ers.com|date=March 22, 2022|access-date=March 22, 2022}} On October 23, in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, McCloud scored his first career touchdown on an 8–yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo.{{Cite web |last=Senkiw |first=Brad |date=October 23, 2022 |title=Ray-Ray McCloud Records First Career TD |url=https://www.si.com/college/clemson/tigers-in-the-nfl/ray-ray-mccloud-records-first-career-td |access-date=September 29, 2023 |website=SI.com |language=en}} McCloud finished the 2022 season with 14 receptions for 243 yards and one receiving touchdown to go with a rushing touchdown. He handled some kickoff and punt return duties on special teams.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McClRa00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
McCloud was placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2023.{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2023 |title=49ers Place McCloud III on Injured Reserve, Promote a WR to the Active Roster and More Moves Ahead of #SEAvsSF |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-place-mccloud-iii-on-injured-reserve-promote-a-wr-to-the-active-roster-and |access-date=February 17, 2024 |website=49ers.com}} He was activated on January 6, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=January 6, 2024 |title=49ers activate Ray-Ray McCloud, rule out Jauan Jennings |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/49ers-activate-ray-ray-mccloud-rule-out-jauan-jennings |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} He finished the 2023 season with 12 receptions for 135 yards while handling some kickoff and punt return duties.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McClRa00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII, but lost 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the Super Bowl, McCloud had 1 catch for 19 yards.
= Atlanta Falcons =
On March 18, 2024, McCloud signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite web |last=Waack |first=Terrin |date=March 18, 2024 |title=Falcons sign veteran receiver and returner Ray-Ray McCloud |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/wide-receiver-special-teams-returner-ray-ray-mccloud-signed-2024-free-agency |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}} McCloud finished with 62 receptions for 686 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Ray-Ray McCloud 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McClRa00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Returning ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2018|| BUF
| 10 || 1 || 5 || 36 || 7.2 || 16 || 0 || 2 || 4 || 2.0 || 7 || 0 || 5 || 38 || 7.6 || 18 || 0 || 2 || 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2019
!CAR |6 |0 |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |18 |256 |14.2 |39 |0 |3 |1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2020
!PIT |16 |2 |20 |77 |3.8 |13 |0 |4 |65 |16.3 |58 |0 |57 |944 |16.6 |57 |0 |2 |1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2021
!PIT |16 |5 |39 |277 |7.1 |24 |0 |2 |15 |7.5 |10 |0 |73 |1,143 |15.7 |40 |0 |4 |1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2022
!SF |17 |2 |14 |243 |17.4 |42 |1 |4 |78 |19.5 |71 |1 |59 |955 |16.2 |39 |0 |2 |0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023
!SF |12 |1 |12 |135 |11.3 |41 |0 |3 |30 |1.0 |15 |0 |34 |428 |12.6 |34 |0 |1 |0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2024
!ATL |17 |13 |62 |686 |11.1 |60 |1 |10 |79 |7.9 |20 |0 |14 |361 |25.8 |33 |0 |4 |2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McClRa00.htm Career] | 94 | 24 | 152 | 1,454 | 9.6 | 60 | 2 | 25 | 271 | 10.8 | 71 | 1 | 260 | 4,125 | 16.2 | 57 | 0 | 18 | 6 |
=Postseason=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Returning ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2020
!PIT |1 |0 |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |8 |162 |20.3 |28 |0 |0 |0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2021|| PIT
| 1 || 0 || 2|| 20 || 10.0 || 12 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 5 || 79 || 15.8 || 29 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2022
!SF |3 |0 |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |7 |145 |20.7 |53 |0 |1 |0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023
!SF |1 |0 |2 |26 |13.0 |19 |0 |— |— |— |— |— |3 |51 |17.0 |28 |0 |0 |0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McClRa00.htm Career] | 6 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 11.5 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 437 | 18.4 | 53 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Personal life
McCloud is the older brother of quarterback Jordan McCloud.{{cite web|url=https://www.fox13news.com/sports/gaither-linebacker-not-living-in-older-brothers-shadows|title=Gaither linebacker not living in older brothers' shadows|website=WTVT|first=Andrew|last=Keesee|date=August 25, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- [https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/players-roster/ray-ray-mccloud/ Atlanta Falcons bio]
- [https://clemsontigers.com/sports/football/roster/ray-ray-mccloud/ Clemson Tigers bio]
{{2016 Clemson Tigers football navbox}}
{{Bills2018DraftPicks}}
{{Atlanta Falcons roster navbox}}
{{NFL punt return yards leaders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCloud, Ray-Ray}}
Category:Players of American football from Tampa, Florida
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Clemson Tigers football players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players