Zach

McCloud

McCloud (6'2/235) is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted this season due to COVID. McCloud’s time at Miami has been peculiar. Through his first three seasons, he was a consistent contributor before completely falling off and redshirting in 2019. McCloud made a bounce back in 2020, finding some time on the EDGE rather than just as an off-ball linebacker. McCloud recorded two sacks in 2020.

The news of McCloud taking a redshirt comes as a bit of a surprise relative to his preseason status. Heading into the year, McCloud (6'2/220) was viewed as a potential NFL draft pick depending on how well his senior season went. His senior season went gone completely south, however, as he had barely seen any action in Miami’s first four games. Rather than waste the rest of the year on the bench, McCloud is taking advantage of the redshirt rules to save his final year of eligibility for 2020. It’s not been confirmed that McCloud will transfer, but considering the circumstances, there isn’t much reason for him to stay at Miami. Expect an update on McCloud’s intentions over the next couple days.

Pauline does not give McCloud a draftable grade at this juncture. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior linebacker posted 38 tackles (4.5 for loss) while appearing in all 13 of Miami’s games last season. He started nine of those contests. The upcoming campaign will be crucial to McCloud’s draft stock next spring.

McCloud is draft-eligible this season, and given his production there were some questions as to whether or not he would enter the 2019 NFL Draft. But the junior linebacker, who tallied 38 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks during the regular season, has decided to spend another year in Coral Gables. Miami, which faces Wisconsin in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 27, now awaits NFL draft decisions from linebackers Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney.

McCloud hails from Lantana, Florida, and will be sticking in state. Usual suspects Florida, Auburn and Alabama were also showing interest in the 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker. On the ESPN 300, he checks in at No. 172. The Worldwide Leader’s scouting report advises that "[c]ontinued development of his stance, cover skills and ability to shed blocks will benefit to make his game complete.” The same report praises his tackling as “violent,” though, so it’s not all work and no play.

McCloud (6'2/220) is nursing a left wrist injury. He was able to go through non-contact drills on Tuesday while sporting a brace on his injured paw, but looks like he’ll be held out of contact work for the spring remainder. Miami HC Mark Richt said that the junior should be healthy by summer. The former four-star linebacker has started 22 of the past 26 games over the last two campaigns. While he’s taking it easy, sophomore De’Andre Wilder -- McCloud’s backup -- figures to see more intensive reps with the first-team defense coming his way.