Cloud was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and moved to Rhode Island at age five.
As a senior in 1998, he ran for 1,726 yards on 308 carries, scored 14 touchdowns, and was recognized a consensus first-team All-American.
Cloud was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft, and was the 54th overall choice.
He later sued MuscleTech after claiming that one of their over-the-counter supplements, Nitro-Tech, caused the positive test.
He scored five rushing TDs in the 2003 season, two apiece against the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts and one against the New York Giants.