Ray-Ray McCloud switches numbers, might play CB

McCloud will wear No. 21 today

by TigerNet Staff - Sat Nov 04 14:30:19 GMT-04:00 2017

RALEIGH, NC - Clemson wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud will wear No. 21 today against NC State.

Clemson has two cornerbacks who are out today (Marcus Edmond, Mark Fields) and McCloud put in extensive work in August camp at corner. Linebacker Kendall Joseph wears No. 34 on defense, so McCloud will wear No. 21. It's not known how much McCloud will play at either position.

Swinney said this of the move back in August:

“We've used him at both receiver and defensive back, and we're just trying to use him in different ways,” Swinney said about cross training McCloud. “We had him over there backpedaling, and then we had him running routes. He can't catch the ball right now, but he can get over there and cover. It's been kind of fun watching him because he is one of those rare guys that can play either side of the ball. We are taking advantage of the time with him and seeing what he can do.”

WR/DB Ray Ray McCloud wearing #21 jersey vs. NC State #Clemson

A post shared by TigerNet (@clemsontigernet) on Nov 4, 2017 at 11:54am PDT

Swinney said the move is something the coaches talked about over the summer, and he said he could see McCloud playing defense during the season.

“Depends on how he does. We don't really do anything to waste time but it's something we talked about during the summer. He was kind of open to it,” Swinney said. “He could be a guy that could work nickel, or he could be a corner guy, an emergency guy. We used to use Adam Humphries that way. But Ray-Ray has a little more wherewithal to him and it's natural to him. He's a special talent. If he can't catch we will see if we can continue to get better. If he was better than somebody else over there and gave us a little more flexibility I wouldn't hesitate to put him in.”

Swinney said the following about McCloud's injury during the Dabo Swinney Media Golf Tournament in July.

"Ray-Ray I think will have a great year," Swinney said. "Right now he is coming off kind of a similar injury that Renfrow had where they had to put a little screw in his wrist area. The same thing Renfrow had. He will be able to practice, but he might be a little limited the first week, but we will get him rolling and he should be fine."