Florida secondary coach Will Harris shoots down Cormani McClain rumor

On Tuesday, rumors surfaced claiming Florida had dismissed defensive back Cormani McClain from the program. Florida secondary coach Will Harris took to social media to set the story straight.

“Not true!!!” Harris wrote on X.

McClain transferred to Florida this offseason after spending one season at Colorado. In McClain’s lone season with the Buffaloes, he tallied 13 tackles and two passes defended. His playing time gradually increased throughout the season.

McClain started in Colorado’s final three games of the 2023 campaign. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders attributed McClain’s increased time on the field to the freshman’s improved mindset.

“He’s been a lot more focused,” Sanders said. “A lot more understanding of the expectation and what we want from him — that we’ve challenged him tremendously all year long. He stood up to the task over the last, probably, week and a half.

“I’m really, really proud of Cormani. I really am.”

McClain had no shortage of schools reach out to him after entering his name in the transfer portal. Alas, he ultimately decided to return to his home state. In a conversation with On3’s Andy Staples, Gators Online’s Nick de la Torre pulled back the curtain on McClain’s decision.

Explaining Cormani McClain’s decision to transfer to Florida

“I think Cormani McClain, everyone wanted him,” de la Torre said reffering to McClain’s high school recruitment. “The allure of McClain being a defensive back like Cormani McClain and playing for, in my opinion, probably the best defensive back to ever play football in Deion Sanders ultimately won out over Miami and over Florida.” 

“He’s a kid who’s very close to his mom, he’s from Orlando, and I think when you get out to Colorado, they don’t really have a culture. Deion’s a first-time Division I head coach, they’re building a culture,” de la Torre added. “You get out there and there’s not really direction, you’re far away from home, all of a sudden there’s this really cold white stuff falling from the sky in November. You’re like what is this? I think it’s a culture shock.”

Florida will welcome McLain’s talent in its secondary. The Gators’ defense allowed 226.7 passing yards per game last season, ranking No. 70 in the country. With McClain by their side, the Gators will aim to improve those numbers in the 2024 campaign.

Florida will take on Miami on Aug. 31 in its season-opener. The game will be broadcast on ABC.