ST. PETERSBURG– 2015 running back Ray-Ray McCloud III (5-9, 175, Tampa, FL Sickles) wasn’t able to participate in the 2014 Under Armour All-American game combine. Instead, the scat back stood off to the side, a victim of a sprained Achilles tendon as the other athletes participated in various speed and agility drills.
Recently he’s received offers from Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Indiana (he already has one from Florida, acquired last summer). He’s named the Gators as one of his top schools but will keep his options open and decide “when the time is right.”
UF wants him as a running back, but one Florida coach wants him on the opposite side of the ball.
“[The coaches told me they] need more speed to the offense,” McCloud said “At the same time, coach [Travaris Robinson] wants me to play DB as well.”
Despite going 4-8 last year, he isn’t phased by UF’s bad season in 2013.
“Teams have their up and downs, they’re just building from there,” McCloud said.
Florida will begin the process of building with a new offensive coordinator; UF has recently hired Kurt Roper after firing Brent Pease. McCloud is yet to watch Roper’s offense at work.
He’s seen more of the Gators’ main rivals than anythone else, taking two unofficial visits to Georgia and Kentucky, but he currently plans to attend UF’s junior day at the end of January as well as USF’s. He has also been on visits to Auburn, Louisville and Kentucky.
Although he’s been to many different places, Gainesville is special to him.
“Great town to be around, good surroundings and environment,” McCloud said. “For a football game it’s a great environment to be in.”