A former Clemson football player who won a national championship with the Tigers in 2016 has been released by an NFL team.
The Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday released wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, who was in his second season with the team. McCloud appeared in four games with the Falcons this season but hadn’t played since Atlanta’s 34-27 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 4 on Sept. 29.
McCloud had six catches for 64 yards in four games this season. He was in his eighth NFL season since being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
After his rookie season in Buffalo, McCloud spent a year with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad in 2019, two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steeler (2020-21), and two with the San Francisco 49ers (2022-23). He played against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, making a 19-yard catch.
In three years at Clemson, McCloud played in 40 games and started 20 from 2015-17 before foregoing his senior year. He had 127 career receptions for 1,226 yards (9.7 YPC) and four touchdowns. He also rushed 18 times for 106 yards and had 50 punt returns for 485 yards, including a 77-yard punt return touchdown against NC State in 2017.
McCloud started all 14 games in his final season at Clemson, and had 49 catches for 472 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games (five starts) in Clemson’s 2016 championship season.
Atlanta has three former Dabo Swinney players on its active roster: cornerback A.J. Terrell, defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and punter Bradley Pinion.
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