South Pointe's Nick McCloud to play for N.C. State
How cool would it have been if South Pointe’s Nick McCloud announced his college football choice by pulling a wolf cub from beneath a table?
The senior defensive back standout decided not to wait until National Signing Day on Wednesday to reveal his decision. McCloud opted for N.C. State - the Wolfpack - at a gathering of friends and family Saturday in Rock Hill.
“They showed me a lot of love even when I didn’t have an offer,” said McCloud. “I think that’s what led me there.”
Former Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell staked a claim to National Signing Day infamy in 2011 when he picked UGA by producing a bulldog puppy to the delight of the onlooking crowd. There was no such similar action when McCloud picked N.C. State over UCLA, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt in front of a group that included over 150 family members, friends, teachers, coaches and teammates.
“We couldn’t find a wolf,” he joked on Monday.
McCloud played receiver as a junior but made the nearly full-time switch to defensive back this season with big results. The 6-foot-2 senior intercepted six passes, including one in the state championship game, and also broke up eight passes and recorded 68 tackles. His size and physicality in the secondary allowed him to bully opposing receivers.
There’s only two people at cornerback with game experience so I think if I come in and do what I’ve got to do I’ll end up playing early.
South Pointe’s Nick McCloud hopes to see the field early on at N.C. State
By signing McCloud, N.C. State continues to increase the size in its secondary. McCloud joins fellow signee J.J. Givens - 6-foot-2, 170 pounds - and Bryce Banks - a 6-foot-2 freshman already in Raleigh - as oversized cornerbacks for the Wolfpack.
“I think we’re bringing in a pretty good class,” said McCloud.
McCloud visited Georgia Tech last - he never made it out to L.A. to visit UCLA - and the Yellow Jackets’ coaching staff, including head coach Paul Johnson, visited Rock Hill last week, even attending South Pointe’s home basketball game against Chester.
“The biggest thing with them, they came in late,” said McCloud. “I got to know them, but not as well I got to know some of the people at N.C. State. Not even just the (State) coaches, but the players, guidance counselors and stuff like that. That was the only thing with them.”
Saturday’s decision left McCloud with a less stressful Wednesday, as well as a trio of baseball caps from the teams he didn’t choose.
“We still got them,” he said. “Trying to sell them, though.”
Bret McCormick: 803-329-4032, @RHHerald_Preps
This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 4:54 PM with the headline "South Pointe's Nick McCloud to play for N.C. State."