Raymond McCloud III Bio
Raymond McCloud III is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist born on October 15, 1996, in Tampa, Florida. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. McCloud has built a reputation as a dynamic special teams player and reliable receiver across seven NFL organizations. Known for his speed, agility, and ability to create plays in the return game, he has accumulated over 4,000 career return yards while also contributing as a receiving threat. His journey through the NFL reflects persistence and adaptability, having navigated roster moves and injuries to establish himself as a valuable asset at the professional level.
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 running back. During his senior season, McCloud rushed for 1,933 yards and 17 touchdowns, demonstrating the exceptional talent that would carry him to the next level. Over his entire high school career, he accumulated 5,765 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns, putting him among the most productive rushers in the region. His standout performances attracted attention from major college programs across the country.
Path to American Football
In July 2014, McCloud committed to play football for the Clemson Tigers, choosing them over prominent programs including Alabama, Auburn, and Florida. This decision marked the beginning of his transition from a high school running back to a professional wide receiver. The move to Clemson provided him with exposure to elite competition and the opportunity to develop under a premier college football program. His trajectory through Clemson would prepare him for the challenges of the NFL.
Raymond McCloud III Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
McCloud was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He made his first professional reception in Week 3 during a 27-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, also recording a 13-yard punt return in that game. The Bills waived McCloud on August 31, 2019, and he was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers the following day. After a brief stint with Carolina, he returned to Buffalo’s practice squad in October 2019 and signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills in January 2020.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakthrough (2020–2021)
On August 21, 2020, McCloud signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and quickly became their primary return specialist. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Steelers in March 2021. In his two seasons with Pittsburgh, McCloud returned 28 kickoffs for 646 yards and 29 punts with an impressive average of 10.7 yards per return. Pro Football Focus recognized him as a second-team All-Pro return specialist. In 2021, McCloud led the entire NFL in total punt-return yards gained, marking his breakthrough as one of the league’s most effective return specialists. That season, he also recorded 39 receptions for 277 receiving yards.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–2023)
On March 22, 2022, McCloud signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He scored his first career receiving touchdown on October 23, 2022, in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, catching an 8-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo. McCloud finished the 2022 season with 14 receptions for 243 yards and one receiving touchdown, plus one rushing touchdown. He also contributed on special teams with kickoff and punt return duties. In 2023, McCloud was placed on injured reserve on December 9 but was activated on January 6, 2024. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 135 yards while handling return duties. The 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII, where McCloud recorded one catch for 19 yards in the 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants (2024–2025)
On March 18, 2024, McCloud signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the 2024 season with 62 receptions for 686 yards and one touchdown, showing his ability to contribute as a receiving option. However, McCloud was released by the Falcons on October 21, 2025, after being a healthy scratch in Week 6 against his former team, the Buffalo Bills. He signed with the New York Giants’ practice squad on October 23, 2025, appearing in two games with one reception for five yards before being released on December 10.
Playing Style and Strengths
McCloud’s primary value lies in his exceptional speed and agility as a return specialist. His ability to read developing blocks and find running lanes has made him one of the more productive punt returners in the league. During his time with the Steelers, he demonstrated the consistency and vision required to excel in the return game, earning recognition as a second-team All-Pro. Beyond special teams, McCloud has shown reliable hands as a receiver and the versatility to line up at multiple positions.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of McCloud’s career came in 2021 when he led the NFL in punt return yards while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, establishing himself among the league’s elite return specialists. He achieved his first career receiving touchdown with the 49ers in 2022 against the Kansas City Chiefs. His participation in Super Bowl LVIII with the 49ers marked the biggest stage of his professional career. As a collegian, he helped Clemson win the National Championship in 2016, a foundational achievement that set the stage for his professional journey.
Raymond McCloud III Career Statistics
Across his NFL career spanning from 2018 to 2025, McCloud has established himself as a reliable contributor both as a receiver and return specialist. His career totals reflect consistency and versatility across multiple organizations.
NFL Career Highlights
McCloud has accumulated 159 career receptions for 1,523 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. He has also contributed 271 rushing yards on 25 attempts with 1 rushing touchdown, averaging an impressive 10.8 yards per carry. His most significant impact has come as a return specialist, with 4,216 career return yards. The 2021 season marked his peak performance as an NFL punt return yards leader. His first career receiving touchdown came in 2022 with the 49ers, a milestone that validated his transition from running back to wide receiver.
College Career Statistics
During his three seasons at Clemson from 2015 to 2017, McCloud demonstrated consistent growth as a receiver. As a freshman, he played in 12 games with 29 receptions for 251 yards and one touchdown. In 2016, he played 14 games with 49 receptions for 472 yards and 2 touchdowns while helping Clemson win the National Championship. As a junior, he recorded 49 receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown, also returning 25 punts for 303 yards and one touchdown, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors. He finished his college career with 127 receptions for 1,226 yards and 4 touchdowns.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 159 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,523 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 2 |
| Rushing Yards | 271 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 1 |
| Return Yards | 4,216 |
Raymond McCloud III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While McCloud does not come from a racing family, his football lineage extends to his younger brother, Jordan McCloud, who has pursued his own career in professional football as a quarterback. The McCloud family’s athletic tradition demonstrates a commitment to excellence in sports that has manifested in different positions and levels of competition.
Personal Life
Beyond football, McCloud maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. He continues to work toward establishing himself as a reliable NFL player while navigating the challenges of a career that has seen multiple team transitions. His resilience through roster changes and injuries exemplifies the perseverance required for a long NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented significant challenges for McCloud. After a productive 2024 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons where he recorded 62 receptions for 686 yards and one touchdown, he was released by the team in October following a healthy scratch in Week 6. The quick departure from Atlanta marked a setback in his career trajectory. He subsequently joined the New York Giants’ practice squad but appeared in only two games with minimal production before being released in December. McCloud’s season highlights the competitive nature of the NFL and the importance of consistency and opportunity in maintaining a roster spot.