Former undervalued Notre Dame defender continues unlikely NFL career with the Chicago Bears
Notre Dame football has quietly had a ton of success with transfers over the last few seasons. One of the more underrated pickups over the years came before the 2020 season when the program welcomed former NC State cornerback Nick McCloud. The Fighting Irish program was in a tough spot at cornerback, and they needed […]
Notre Dame football has quietly had a ton of success with transfers over the last few seasons. One of the more underrated pickups over the years came before the 2020 season when the program welcomed former NC State cornerback Nick McCloud. The Fighting Irish program was in a tough spot at cornerback, and they needed a quick fix.
Not only did McCloud add depth to that room, but he also quickly became the team's top corner during that team's run to the College Football Playoffs. McCloud ended that season with 33 total tackles, one interception, eight pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. He became an unsung hero for a talented Notre Dame defense,
That 2020 season ended a five-year college career for McCloud. He had spent the previous four years with the NC State Wolfpack program. McCloud ended his college career with 139 total tackles, four interceptions, 28 pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries. His efforts allowed him to earn two All-ACC honors.
Following that final campaign, McCloud was still viewed as a longshot to stick on the NFL level. He would go undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft class despite an impressive performance at the Notre Dame Pro Day. McCloud once again proved the doubters wrong. Fast forward several seasons, and McCloud has now spent four years in the league mostly on special teams.
The majority of McCloud's career has been spent with the New York Giants, where he has played in 38 total games and started 16. McCloud has also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, and most recently with the San Francisco 49ers. Following the 2024 season split between the Giants and 49ers, McCloud was left homeless.
He has found his next team, signing with the Chicago Bears on a one-year contract. McCloud will join tight ends Cole Kmet and Durham Smythe as former Fighting Irish players on the roster.
Now entering year five, McCloud is another example of a testament to perseverance. He has routinely been counted out, and has made a career of proven people wrong. Now local again to South Bend, McCloud has a chance to make more plays just 90 minutes from Notre Dame Stadium.
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