Ex-Colorado CB Cormani McClain Heading to Florida Gators

Cormani McClain, the former standout cornerback from Colorado and key recruit in Coach Deion Sanders’ inaugural class with the Buffaloes, is heading to Florida, according to a report from ESPN.

McClain, ESPN’s No. 14 recruit in 2023, recently visited Florida with his mother and agent. The Lakeland, Florida native will return to his home state after entering the transfer portal last month.

Performance at Colorado

McClain had a slow start last season with Colorado. He started four games and appeared in nine, tallying 13 tackles and two pass breakups. McClain initially committed to Miami but opted for Colorado in January 2023, shortly after Sanders took over as head coach. In a YouTube video posted shortly after he entered the portal, McClain said he planned to “bring the old version of me out and change the narrative of [what] everyone’s thinking of my name, be part of a real and a great program that’s going to impact me at my best abilities.”

He noted that academics never held him back and that he doesn’t want to “just play for clicks, I want to be part of a great leading program.”

Transfer to Florida Gators

McClain, who still has three years of eligibility remaining and a redshirt option, joins a Florida defense that has been actively strengthening its roster through the transfer portal this offseason. The Gators have secured commitments from defensive backs Jameer Grimsley (Alabama), Asa Turner (Washington), and Trikweze Bridges (Oregon), in addition to bolstering their linebacker and defensive line positions.

Coach Sanders’ Perspective

Sanders, in an interview last month with DNVR Sports, said he wishes the best for McClain.

“I pray to God that he goes to a program that challenges him, as well as holds him accountable and develops him as a young man,” Sanders told DNVR. “Unfortunately, we weren’t the program that could accomplish that.

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