Interview: 2018 Florida Dual-Threat Jordan McCloud is Ready to Lead Plant to State Title Game
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Seems that there is not too much Jordan McCloud cannot do on the field with the ball in his hands. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,300 yards connecting on 24 touchdown passes while rushing for three more with Sickles High School during his junior year, but has a new challenge ahead of him in 2017. A March 6 transfer from Sickles to Plant High School puts McCloud in the thick of a 7A Florida state title race during his senior season.
McCloud is rarity in more ways than one with talent and experience in the pocket. Few gunslingers have the arm, mobility, and knowledge of their offense the way McCloud had at Sickles. The extra dimension unheard of at the high school level in today’s game, not only can he operate in the shotgun out of the spread but can also go under center executing a pro-style offense.
The complete package in the huddle plus a little magic on busted plays has drawn a Division-I crowd. To date 11 schools have offered the Tampa area native with Oregon, Boston College, Iowa State, Maryland, Colorado State, Bowling Green, Toledo, Southern Miss, South Dakota, Tulane, and South Florida being among the many hoping to lure him to their roster in 2018. Some teams are even looking at the 6-0.5, 180 pound, athlete as a potential corner at the next level.
The challenge ahead of McCloud is not easy. Plant ended the 2016 season 13-1 ranked as the No. 7 team in the Sunshine State by MaxPreps. The championship game appearance against St. Thomas Aquinas last season leads to the same expectations for the Panthers in 2017 with another roster loaded with talent.
In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with the three-star recruit ahead of unofficial summer visits planned to Oregon, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Temple receiving an overview on his playing abilities, off-season workouts, and recruiting process to date.
Interview
Jordan, you lined up in the shotgun in a spread last year and under center in a pro-style offense, which type of offense do you like running more between the two?
“I am comfortable with all of them.”
I am impressed with your knowledge of the offense and what you can do on plays that are on the verge of being a busted play. How do you prepare yourself for busted plays or are your reactions all improvised on the spot?
“I kind of do it off my receivers. If there is a bad snap, I know where my receivers are going. My ability to make something happen off a busted play is based off my other teammates.”
How did you prepare for each game last season week after week?
“I sat down with my coaches, studied film, went over coverages, weaknesses and tendencies.”
You’ve transferred from Sickles to Plant, how has the transfer gone so far?
“It has been good. I am getting to Know Coach (Robert) Weiner (head coach). He is teaching me more about being a quarterback.”
When did you transfer to Plant?
“On March 6.”
Did you go through spring practices at Plant?
“Yes.”
The Panthers had a tremendous season in 2016 posting a 13-1 record, how does the team look going into the 2017 season?
“To be honest, just as good.”
Which position will you play during your senior year for the Panthers?
“Quarterback.”
What all have you been working on this off-season?
“Footwork mostly. I’m learning more of the game with Coach Weiner.”
What are the strengths of your game?
“Throwing on the run, reading defenses, picking up their rolls and coverages, my scrambling, and I believe I have a good arm.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits this spring or summer?
“No. I start all of them in July.”
Which unofficial visits do you have planned?
“On July 21 I am visiting Cincinnati, on July 22 I am visiting Toledo and Temple, and on July 29 I am visiting Oregon. I plan on visiting Colorado, Indiana, Tulane, and South Florida too. If not this summer then during the season if I can.”
Have you attended any college camps yet?
“No. My first one is with Cincinnati and my second one will be at Oregon. I have competed at a Rivals, Under Armour All-American, and Nike Opening camps.”
Did any colleges come by Plant this spring to see you in action?
“We had a lot of schools coming by, a lot of them were there to see Judge Culpepper (4-star 2018 DE). I can’t remember them all, but some of the schools that came by were Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and LSU.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered?
“Cincinnati, Temple, North Carolina, Syracuse, South Carolina, and FAU (Florida Atlantic).”
How many offers do you have?
“Eleven.”
I know you are getting some recruiting interest at corner, which schools are recruiting you to play corner at the next level?
“The only schools to offer me at corner are Bowling Green and Maryland.”
When you’ve talked to college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?
“They like my movement in the pocket and my poise. Last year was really my first year playing quarterback. They like my IQ of the game.”
Do you have an idea on when you would like to commit?
“I want to try and commit before the season starts.”
What goals have you set for yourself for the 2017 season?
“My team goals are to be state champs and go undefeated. My personal goals, I want 3,000 passing yards with 35 passing touchdowns. I also want 700 to 800 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns.”
Jordan, thanks for your time today and good luck with all the upcoming camps.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Tampa Bay Times; No. 4 Jordan McCloud scrambles out of the pocket (2016).
Photo credit: 247Sports; Jordan McCloud drops back to pass at a camp.