Ahead of the upcoming NFL season, a national outlet named this former Clemson standout among NFC players who could become stars in 2024.

CBS Sports identified one underrated breakout candidate for each NFC team, and for the Atlanta Falcons, former Tiger wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud was pegged as that under-the-radar player who could become a star this season.

This offseason, the Falcons and McCloud agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million.

McCloud spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to that, the veteran receiver/return specialist had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2020-21) and Carolina Panthers (2019). He began his NFL career with the Bills in 2018 after being selected by the franchise in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

“In a restocked wide receiver room, the former Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers reserve may not be a primary target for new quarterback Kirk Cousins, but his extensive experience as a return specialist could make him invaluable with the NFL’s revamped kick-return rules,” CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin wrote.

McCloud has accumulated 90 receptions for 768 yards and one receiving touchdown in his NFL career, to go with a rushing touchdown.

Over his NFL career, the 27-year-old has also returned 138 punts for 1,326 yards (9.6 yards per return) and 108 kickoff returns for 2,438 yards (22.6 yards per return).

For the 49ers in 2023, McCloud caught 12 passes for 135 yards, returned 24 punts for 203 yards (8.5 average) and returned 10 kickoffs for 225 yards (22.5 average).

A national champion at Clemson in 2016, McCloud led the NFL in punt return yards as a member of the Steelers in 2021.

–Photo courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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