Why Ryan Switzer should have been as good on the Steelers as Ray-Ray McCloud

College Stats

This is where this gets really interesting. If you line up the metrics and each player’s statistic from college, anyone would say that Switzer has the better chance of having a successful NFL career. Both of these players came out of the same division (the ACC), but one was far more productive than the other.

In four years at UNC, Switzer put up 243 receptions for 2903 yards (11.9 yards/catch) along with 19 touchdowns. During his final year as a senior, Switzer had 96 receptions for 1112 yards, great numbers for a potential pro prospect. Compare this to McCloud, who in three years at Clemson had 127 receptions for 1226 yards (9.7 yards per average) and 4 touchdowns. In his final year as a junior, McCloud only had 49 receptions for 503 and a single score.

These players were also seen as returners, not just receivers though. Switzer had a career punt return average of 10.9 yards per return with seven returns going for scores. McCloud was far less impressive, having an average punt return of 9.7 yards per return and only one for a score. Neither were consistent kick returners, but it should be noted that McCloud eight total kicks compared to Switzer’s two.

There isn’t a debate here, as Switzer had a far better college career than McCloud. With almost identical testing, these players should have had similar NFL careers. If anything, Switzer had a stronger history as an overall player, so why did he fail with the Steelers? Meanwhile, why is McCloud doing so well?