Colorado transfer DB Cormani McClain commits to Florida

Former Colorado defensive back Cormani McClain has committed to transfer to Florida, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett & Pete Nakos. McClain only spent one season with the Buffaloes.

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.”

A product of Lakeland High School (Fla.), Cormani McClain was a five-star prospect and the No. 13 overall player from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

McClain was the No. 2 cornerback to enter the transfer portal, per On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings. He is the 13th player Florida has added via the transfer portal, earning the No. 33 spot in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.

McClain chose Florida over numerous other suitors, including programs such as LSU, Texas and Auburn. The 6-foot-2 standout is expected to make an immediate impact for the Gators, joining a talented defensive back unit led by Jason Marshall and Devin Moore.

The reason behind Cormani McClain’s decision

In a post on his Youtube channel, McClain pulled back the curtain on his decision to move on from Colorado.

“No hard feelings. Some people just gotta take a step back from things, sometimes. Certain people,” McClain said. “I feel like I just don’t want to play for clicks. I actually want to be involved with a great leading program that’s going to develop players.”

Despite McClain’s decision, Deion Sanders claimed he is still rooting for his future.

“I’m always in prayer for young men, and I want the best for them,” Sanders told DNVR in April. “And 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. Unfortunately, we weren’t the program that could accomplish that.

“So prayerfully that he understands that this is his second go-around and get it. Go get it, man. Because he has a tremendous amount of talent, but he has to want it.”