Ray-Ray McCloud Bio
Raymond McCloud III, widely known as Ray-Ray McCloud, is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 15, 1996, in Tampa, Florida, he has built a reputation for his quickness, elusiveness, and dependable hands. McCloud gained national recognition as a member of the Clemson Tigers, where he contributed to a College Football Playoff National Championship before launching a journeyman professional career that has spanned multiple organizations.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, McCloud has carved out a role as a versatile complementary pass-catcher and a dynamic presence in the return game. Across his NFL tenure, he has suited up for the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and the New York Giants, logging meaningful production on offense and special teams.
Early Life and Background
Raymond McCloud III grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Sickles High School and played for the Gryphons football team. As a senior, he starred as a running back, rushing for 1,933 yards and 17 touchdowns in a single season. Across his high school career, he piled up 5,765 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as one of the most electrifying skill players in the Tampa area.
His production attracted attention from several powerhouse college football programs, including Alabama, Auburn, and Florida. In July 2014, McCloud committed to play for the Clemson Tigers, choosing to continue his development within one of the most competitive conferences in college football. His decision to join Clemson set the stage for his growth as a polished receiver and return man at the highest level of the sport.
Path to Professional Football
McCloud arrived at Clemson in 2015 and immediately worked his way into the rotation as a freshman, appearing in 12 games and finishing with 29 receptions for 251 yards and one touchdown. He missed three games during that debut season due to a knee injury but showed enough potential to remain a focal point of the Tigers’ offensive plans.
As a sophomore in 2016, McCloud played in 14 of Clemson’s 15 games and recorded 49 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns. That season ended with the program capturing the College Football Playoff National Championship, cementing his place on a title-winning roster. During his junior year in 2017, he appeared in all 14 games, tallying 49 receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown while also adding 25 punt returns for 303 yards and one touchdown. He earned Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition before declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Ray-Ray McCloud Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
The Buffalo Bills selected McCloud in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. He made his first professional reception in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, a 27-6 victory in which he also recorded a 13-yard punt return. McCloud was waived by the Bills on August 31, 2019, and was quickly claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers the following day. His time in Carolina was brief, however, as the Panthers waived him on October 15, 2019.
Two days later, McCloud returned to Buffalo on the Bills’ practice squad, where he served as a wide receiver and also emulated mobile quarterbacks on the scout team during weekly preparations. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills on January 6, 2020, but was waived once more on July 27, 2020, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020-2021)
On August 21, 2020, McCloud signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the following March he agreed to a one-year contract extension. He quickly became the Steelers’ primary return specialist, logging 28 kickoff returns for 646 yards and averaging 10.7 yards across 29 punt returns. Pro Football Focus recognized his efforts with a second-team All-Pro selection as a return specialist.
In 2021, McCloud led the entire NFL in total punt-return yards, a milestone that highlighted his value as a field-flipping playmaker. He added 39 receptions for 277 receiving yards that season, providing reliable depth in the Steelers’ passing game while continuing to make a significant impact on special teams.
San Francisco 49ers (2022-2023)
McCloud signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 22, 2022. He scored his first career NFL touchdown in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs on an 8-yard pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He closed the 2022 campaign with 14 receptions for 243 yards and one receiving touchdown, and he also added a rushing touchdown while handling kickoff and punt return duties.
The following season was more challenging. McCloud was placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2023, and was activated on January 6, 2024. He finished 2023 with 12 receptions for 135 yards. The 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII, where they fell 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs; McCloud recorded one reception for 19 yards in that contest.
Atlanta Falcons (2024-2025)
On March 18, 2024, McCloud signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He recorded 62 receptions for 686 yards and one touchdown, serving as a reliable underneath option in Atlanta’s passing attack. His speed and route-running made him a regular contributor on offense.
In 2025, McCloud appeared in four games for the Falcons, recording six receptions for 64 yards, before being released on October 21, 2025. His departure followed a healthy scratch in a Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills and an excused absence during the prep week for a Week 7 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCloud’s game is built around elite speed, sharp change-of-direction ability, and a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to bring down in the open field. He thrives in space, where his acceleration forces defenders to respect his big-play ability on short and intermediate routes. On special teams, his vision and decisiveness have produced some of the most productive return seasons in the league, including his 2021 league lead in punt-return yards.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among McCloud’s defining moments are his 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship with Clemson, his first career touchdown reception in 2022, and his appearance in Super Bowl LVIII with the 49ers. His 2021 season with the Steelers, in which he led the NFL in punt-return yards, stands as the most decorated individual campaign of his professional career to date.
Ray-Ray McCloud Career Wins
Ray-Ray McCloud’s win column is best measured in milestones and big-play performances rather than traditional starting-quarterback victories. From his national championship with Clemson in 2016 to leading the NFL in punt-return yards in 2021, his career has been defined by impact plays, key contributions on special teams, and steady reliability as a depth receiver.
Steelers Highlights
McCloud’s most productive season came in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he led the league in total punt-return yards and added 39 receptions for 277 receiving yards. His work as the Steelers’ primary return specialist in 2020 earned him a second-team All-Pro nod from Pro Football Focus, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s top coverage-breaking threats.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Pittsburgh, McCloud’s two-year tenure with the San Francisco 49ers included a Super Bowl LVIII appearance and his first career touchdown reception in 2022. With the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, he delivered 62 receptions for 686 yards and a touchdown, marking his most prolific receiving season as a professional.
Ray-Ray McCloud Family
Family Background and Personal Life
McCloud is the older brother of quarterback Jordan McCloud, who has also pursued a career in football. Coming from a football-oriented family in Tampa, McCloud’s path to the sport was shaped by his surroundings and his competitive family environment.
2025 Season Performance
McCloud opened 2025 with the Atlanta Falcons, where he appeared in four games and recorded six receptions for 64 scoreless yards. After a healthy scratch in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills and an excused absence during the Week 7 prep period, the Falcons released him on October 21, 2025.
Two days later, on October 23, 2025, McCloud signed with the New York Giants’ practice squad. He made two appearances for New York, posting one reception for five yards, before being released by the Giants on December 10, 2025. Heading into the remainder of the season, McCloud’s outlook centers on finding a roster opportunity where his speed and return skills can be deployed on offense and special teams.
