Buffalo's sixth round pick (187th overall) was Clemson WR-PR specialist Ray-Ray McCloud. Here are five things to know about McCloud:
1. PUNT RETURNS ARE BIG PART OF HIS GAME
McCloud was second team All-American at punt returner, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2017, he had 25 punt returns for Clemson and averaged 12 yards per return with one touchdown. The touchdown came against N.C. State when McCloud went 77 yards to the end zone.
2. A FAST STARTER AS WIDEOUT
McCloud got off to a great start in his first game for Clemson in 2016. He caught eight passes for 80 yards in that game. Last year, McCloud finished with 49 catches for 503 yards. His best day came at Louisville, when he had seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.
3. HOMETOWN HALL OF FAME CONNECTION
A native of Tampa, McCloud has a strong connection with Hall of Fame LB Derrick Brooks, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer. They met when Brooks got involved in a youth football league where McCloud was playing in Tampa. McCloud eventually started calling Brooks "Coach Brooks." Brooks helped McCloud sort through the scholarship offers he received from Clemson, Alabama, Auburn and others.
4. McCLOUD HAS SEEN ACTION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL
He made his mark on offense and special teams, but Ray-Ray McCloud had a chance to get some snaps on defense while at Clemson. A hand injury last November prompted Clemson coach Dabo Swinney to move McCloud to cornerback against NC State last November. The Wolfpack QB went after McCloud on a couple of passes but he held up well. "I just played football, man," McCloud said after the game. "The team's depending on you. You're one-on-one… Just be out there and have fun, and just have a short-term memory."
5. ALL-TIME PERFORMER IN HIGH SCHOOL
McCloud was a standout running back at Sickles High School in Tampa. He was the Hillsborough (Fla.) County Player of the Year as a senior in 2014. He set the county record with 5,765 career rushing yards at Sickles with 58 total touchdowns.
