HOUSTON – Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud has more than one way to keep defenses on the heels of their cleats.
A true dual-threat quarterback who played previously at South Florida, Arizona and James Madison, McCloud has a strong arm and athleticism working in his favor.
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The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver and returner Ray-Ray McCloud, McCloud passed for 3,227 yards, 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season in San Marcos.
He passed for 3,657 yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions two seasons ago and was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.
“I can definitely use it all,” McCloud told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview. “I definitely can hurt them with my arm and kill them with my legs.
“On the field, I’m a competitor with a super savvy understanding of the game. I’m someone who leads with a huge smile and a huge spirt to make everyone around them better and do what’s asked of me.”
McCloud, 28, is three years younger than his brother, Ray-Ray, who played collegiately at Clemson and has played for the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta. He has caught 152 career passes for 1,454 yards and two touchdowns and has 271 rushing yards and 4,125 return yards. He had a career-high 62 catches for 686 yards and one score last season.
“It’s been all support and happiness,” McCloud said. “My brother paved the path. He showed me the ins and outs of how to operate in the NFL.
“Just don’t get too frustrated with it, trust the process is what he tells me. We’re big believers in our faith. Things will shape up.”
McCloud patterns his game after several quarterbacks, including Russell Wilson, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. He has worked out with Patrick Mahomes.
“I know my skill set and how I can play,” McCloud said. “It would be an honor to be drafted.”
He passed for 457 yards and four touchdowns for James Madison in a win over Connecticut.
Last season, he passed for 309 yards and had four total touchdowns in a win over UTSA and was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week.
McCloud signed with USF after being offered scholarships from Oregon, Bowling Green, Iowa State, Maryland, Colorado State, Southern Miss and Toledo.
Why so many school changes?
“I know my skill set and who I can play with,” McCloud said. “Every change was for a good football reason. I see myself right there with the rest of those quarterbacks. Everything who I am today built my character.”
Deeply religious, McCloud grew up in Tampa, Fla. attending Grace Family Church.
“That was the only place I can hear the good work and feel the spirituality with the music and the worship,” McCloud said. “Some days, those sermons are talking about the exact situation you’re going through in life.”
McCloud, whose father works in real estate and his mother is a registered nurse, graduated with a degree in sports management. He would like to coach high school football when he’s done playing.
At 25, he’s a slightly older rookie.
“Some people look at it like a crazy thing,” McCloud said. “I feel like a kid.”
Now, McCloud heads to the NFL.
“I’m very excited,” McCloud said. “I’m been working at it for a long time.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com