A former Clemson standout recently got some love from this senior writer.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra highlighted one “unsung hero” from each team in the league, recognizing various players who didn’t make the Pro Bowl and “whose key contributions flew under the radar” this season.
Patra named Clemson pro Ray-Ray McCloud as one of the unsung heroes in the NFC who doesn’t get the attention he deserves.
Here’s what Patra wrote about the former Tiger and veteran receiver/return specialist who was an overlooked/surprise contributor for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024:
“Drake London and Darnell Mooney rightfully got their flowers during the season, but McCloud often came out of nowhere to make big plays. Primarily a special teamer in previous stops, the seventh-year pro blasted past his previous receiving career highs, earning 686 yards and 62 catches (both third-most on the team). He nearly doubled his previous six years of receiving production (768 yards on 90 catches). McCloud also took 10 carries for 79 yards and was one of the better blockers from the wide receiver position this season. The Falcons didn’t initially envision a huge receiving role for McCloud, but with Rondale Moore’s injury, the veteran was thrust into a bigger role and responded. Heck, he outperformed former first-round TE Kyle Pitts.”
Along with his receiving and rushing totals, McCloud recorded 361 kickoff return yards on 14 returns this season.
After his career 2024 campaign, McCloud has now accumulated 152 receptions for 1,454 yards and two touchdowns in 94 games over his seven-year NFL career (2018-24), to go with 271 yards and another touchdown on 25 career carries, as well as 1,326 yards on 138 career punt returns and 2,799 yards on 122 career kickoff returns.
McCloud signed with the Falcons last offseason after spending the previous two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to that, the 5-foot-9, 190-pounder had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2020-21), Buffalo Bills (2019-20) 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.
–Photo courtesy Brett Davis-Imagn Images