Plant High’s Jordan McCloud starts at quarterback for USF

TAMPA ― After three anemic quarters at Georgia Tech last weekend, USF redshirt freshman quarterback Jordan McCloud entered and gave the Bulls a spark off the bench.

Saturday evening against South Carolina State, he got the chance to give them a spark off the bat.

As expected, the Plant High alumnus took the first snap against the Division I-AA Bulldogs, becoming the third quarterback from a Hillsborough County high school to start a game for USF.

The others: Bobby Eveld (Jesuit) and Chris Oladokun (Sickles).

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McCloud’s first possession lasted all of three plays. A Johnny Ford jet sweep resulted in a 3-yard loss, a second-down pass to Randall St. Felix was dropped, and McCloud was sacked on third down.

His second possession, which started in Bulldogs territory after an SCSU fumble, also went three-and-out.

McCloud, younger brother of Carolina Panthers receiver (and former Hillsborough Country career rushing leader) Ray-Ray McCloud, was summoned late in the third quarter at Georgia Tech with the Bulls trailing 14-3.

He entered after a KJ Sails interception deep in Yellow Jackets territory, and tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Ford on his third play from scrimmage. He finished 4-for-5 for 90 yards.

Two days after the game, coach Charlie Strong indicated McCloud and senior Blake Barnett (25-for-50, 188 yards in ’19) would compete for the No. 1 job in practice.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.