McRae attended Scotland High School, in Laurinburg, North Carolina where he played varsity football and basketball. During his senior year, McRae helped lead the Fighting Scotts to a 14–0 undefeated season and the 2011 NCHSAA 4A State football championship.[1] McRae's performance earned a place on the 2011 All-Cape Fear Regional Team as he was the leading rusher among NC state champion teams with 1,835 yards and 32 touchdowns.[2]
As a true freshman, McRae played in all 11 of the Aggie's games, and started in 3 of them. He would get his first start at cornerback to replace starting left cornerback Deji Olatoye who moved to free safety to replace of an injured Isaiah Martin.[4] McRae would finish the 2012 season with a total of 23 tackles, 14 of them solo and 9 assisted; 4 broken up passes and 9 Kick returns.
McRae began his sophomore with a 4 solo, 1 pass breakup and a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the season opener against Appalachian State. The Aggies would go on to upset Appalachian State 24–21, resulting in North Carolina A&T's first win over the mountaineers since 1993.[5] Of the 11 games he played in that season, McRae would total 11 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 pass breakups, 3 defended passes and 1 interception.
For his Junior season McRae would start in all 12 games and opened the season with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Alabama A&M in the 2014 MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Against Elon, McRae put up a career high 9 tackles and 5 defended passes.[4] He ended the season with 62 total tackles, 46 of them being unassisted, 5 interceptions, 16 passes defended and 14 kickoffs returned for 360 total yards and 1 touchdown. McRae was ranked 13th in the nation in passes defended, 15th in interceptions and 4th in kickoff return touchdowns.[4]
Starting in all 12 games played, McRae has a season best performance[6] against Delaware state in which he returned a kickoff for 75 yards for a touchdown, earned 6 tackles and 1 interception. He would finish the season leading the Aggies with 55 Tackles, 14 assists, 8 Pass defended, 22 kick returns for 622 yards and 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. McRae's performance earned him first-team All MEAC and Boxtorow first-team All-American recognition.[7]
McRae was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2016.[14] He was waived on May 16, 2016.[15]
Cincinnati Bengals
On August 9, 2016, McRae signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.[16] He was waived on September 3, 2016, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[17][18] He was released on September 16, 2016, but was later re-signed on November 29, 2016.[19][20] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bengals on January 2, 2017.[21]
On September 2, 2017, McRae was waived by the Bengals.[22]
Baltimore Ravens
On September 5, 2017, McRae was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad.[23] He was promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2017.[24] He was waived by the Ravens on October 21, 2017.[25]
Buffalo Bills
On October 23, 2017, McRae was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, but was released two days later.[26][27]
Cincinnati Bengals (second stint)
On October 27, 2017, McRae was signed to the Bengals' practice squad.[28] He was promoted to the active roster on December 9, 2017.[29]
On September 13, 2018, in a game against the Baltimore Ravens, McRae recorded 2 forced fumbles.[30]
On December 22, 2019, in a game against the Miami Dolphins, McRae suffered a concussion.[32]
Detroit Lions
On March 24, 2020, McRae signed with the Detroit Lions.[33] On November 8, 2020, he suffered a right knee injury in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. On November 9, 2020, McRae was placed on injured reserve.[34]
In the 2021 off-season, McRae became a free agent.[35]