Nick McCloud Bio
Nick McCloud (born July 9, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 192 pounds, he has built his career on positional versatility and special-teams play across multiple organizations. McCloud has previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants, establishing himself as a reliable depth piece at the cornerback position. He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and Notre Dame Fighting Irish before entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Nick McCloud was born on July 9, 1998, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a city in the northern part of the state near the North Carolina border. He grew up in a region with a strong football culture and attended South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, where he developed into a Division I recruit at the cornerback position. His high school pedigree helped him earn a scholarship to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
McCloud’s formative years in Rock Hill shaped his approach to the game, providing him with early exposure to competitive football in a state known for producing NFL talent. His physical development during these years laid the foundation for the frame he would carry into professional football. The transition from high school to college would mark the first major step in his journey toward the NFL.
Path to American Football
McCloud began his college career at North Carolina State, where he played for the NC State Wolfpack. He spent time in Raleigh developing his technique and competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference against top-tier college talent. His time with the Wolfpack gave him a foundation in man-to-man coverage and special-teams play.
After his tenure at NC State, McCloud transferred to Notre Dame, joining the Fighting Irish program and elevating the level of his competition. While playing for Notre Dame in the 2021 Rose Bowl, McCloud went viral after getting hurdled by Alabama running back Najee Harris, a play that became one of the most discussed moments of the game. His appearances for the Fighting Irish on a major stage helped raise his profile before the 2021 NFL draft cycle, even though he ultimately entered the league as an undrafted free agent.
Nick McCloud Career
Early Career (2021)
McCloud signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2021, beginning his professional career in upstate New York. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, as the Bills trimmed their roster to the regular-season limit. Just one day later, on September 1, 2021, he was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals, giving him a quick landing spot on an AFC North roster.
His time with the Bengals proved short, as he was waived on November 4, 2021, less than two months into the regular season. A few days later, on November 8, 2021, McCloud was signed to the Bills practice squad, allowing him to return to the organization that had originally signed him. After the Bills were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the 2021 playoffs, he signed a reserve/future contract on January 24, 2022, keeping him in the Bills system for another shot at the active roster.
New York Giants Stint (2022–2024)
On August 31, 2022, McCloud was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, where he would spend the longest stretch of his career to that point. He carved out a role primarily on special teams and as a rotational cornerback, working to establish himself within the Giants’ defensive scheme. His tenure in New York gave him the most stable opportunity of his early NFL career.
In a 2023 Week 11 game against the Washington Commanders, McCloud recorded an interception, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection in one of the most productive outings of his career. He ended the 2023 season with 28 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, an interception, and two pass deflections, numbers that reflected his growth as a versatile defender. On November 5, 2024, McCloud was waived by the Giants after a public disagreement with the front office over a midseason pay cut on the one-year, $3 million contract he had signed in March.
San Francisco 49ers (2024)
On November 11, 2024, McCloud was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, just days after his release from the Giants. He spent a short period working with the 49ers before being promoted to the active roster on November 30, 2024. The late-season opportunity provided him with a chance to contribute on defense and special teams in the closing weeks of the 2024 campaign.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On March 24, 2025, McCloud signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, beginning a new chapter in his career in the NFC North. The move reunited him with a franchise looking to add experienced depth to its cornerback room and special-teams units. His contract with the Bears is scheduled to run through the 2025 season, giving him a platform to compete for a defined role.
McCloud’s arrival in Chicago marked his fifth NFL organization in just four seasons, underscoring both the journeyman nature of his career and his ability to remain in demand. The Bears era represents an opportunity for stability and a chance to contribute to a defense looking to take the next step in the conference.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of McCloud’s career came during the 2021 Rose Bowl, when he was hurdled by Alabama running back Najee Harris in a play that circulated widely on social media. On the professional side, his 2023 Week 11 performance against the Washington Commanders, when he recorded an interception, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection, stands as one of his most productive single-game outputs. His 2023 season totals of 28 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, an interception, and two pass deflections marked a clear step forward in his development as a rotational defender.
Nick McCloud Family
Personal Life
Nick McCloud was raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he attended South Pointe High School before embarking on his college and professional football career. Public details about his immediate family, marital status, and personal relationships are not widely documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
McCloud entered the 2025 season with the Chicago Bears after signing a one-year contract in March 2025, joining a defensive secondary in the midst of a rebuild. His versatility as a cornerback and his proven special-teams resume made him a logical addition to a roster seeking experienced depth. Throughout the early portion of the season, he has worked to establish a consistent role within the Bears’ defensive rotations.
The 2025 campaign represents McCloud’s first opportunity for roster stability after moving through five organizations across four seasons. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes, developed during stints in Buffalo, Cincinnati, New York, and San Francisco, has been an asset as he adapts to the Bears’ system. The one-year nature of his contract places additional importance on producing a strong individual season.
Looking ahead, McCloud’s performance in 2025 will likely shape his long-term trajectory in the league, with the contract set to run through the end of the season. Continued production on defense and special teams could position him for a more secure role in future free agency periods.