| Zach McCloud | |
| Current Team: | San Antonio Brahmas |
| Number: | 53 |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Birth Date: | 22 April 1998 |
| Birth Place: | Lantana, Florida, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lb: | 235 |
| High School: | Santaluces Community High School (Lantana, Florida) |
| College: | Miami (2016–2021) |
| Undraftedyear: | 2022 |
| Pastteams: |
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| Status: | Active |
| Pfr: | McClZa01 |
Zachary McCloud (born April 22, 1998) is an American football linebacker for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.
McCloud attended Santaluces Community High School in Lantana, Florida. Coming out of high school, McCloud was rated as a four-star recruit and held 15 offers which included offers from Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He originally committed in November 2014 to play college football for the Miami Hurricanes, but decommitted after the firing of head coach Al Golden in November 2015.[1] [2] [3] McCloud ultimately decided to recommit to the Hurricanes in December 2015.[4] [5]
As a true freshman, McCloud started in 11 of 13 games at linebacker and finished the season with 37 tackles.[6] In his sophomore season, he played in 13 games and started in 11; he had 48 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He received one Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Co-Linebacker of the Week recognition. In his junior season, he played 13 games and started nine. He had 44 tackles in the 2018 season. As a senior, he played only in four games and started one, then redshirted the year.[7] In 2020, as a redshirt senior, he played in nine games and started in eight. He made 27 tackles including two sacks, and was also was made co-captain in the 2020 season for Miami.[8] He returned for a final season in 2021, switching to defensive end and using an extra year of eligibility granted by COVID-19 rules.[9] He played 12 games and started nine. He recorded 28 tackles and three forced fumbles.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, McCloud signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings.[10] [11] He was waived on August 22, 2022, when the Vikings made some roster cuts.[12]
On November 1, 2022, he was signed to the practice squad of the Denver Broncos.[13]
On December 23, 2022, he was signed to the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans, where he spend the remainder of the 2022 NFL season.[14] [15] In January 2023, he signed a future contract with the Titans.[16] He was cut on August 16, 2023.[17]
On August 22, 2023, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals.[18] He was released when the Cardinals made final roster cuts.[19]
On December 19, McCloud was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts.[20]
In January 2024, McCloud signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League.[21] He was placed on Injured reserve on May 7, 2024.[22]