Timeline of 5-star CB Cormani McClain's wild recruitment

The world of high school football recruiting has no shortage of intrigue and drama, but it’s safe to say no one has made things quite as interesting as Lakeland (Fla.) Five-Star Plus+ cornerback and Miami commit Cormani McClain.

The No. 3 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus, McClain has led one of the wildest recruitments in recent memory and still remains unsigned as the second signing period in February nears. Following images surfacing of him visiting Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders this weekend, On3 has broken down the last few months of his recruitment:

October 18, 2022: McClain’s mother, Kaishay White, announces that her son will be making his commitment decision public on Oct. 27. At this point in his recruitment, Florida is considered the heavy favorite to land the in-state star, with predictions on multiple recruiting sites in favor of the Gators.

October 27, 2022: On the night of his commitment, McClain’s mother tweets that he will be announcing his decision on CBS Sports Network, but that no other media will be allowed in the door. McClain then doesn’t arrive to the event on time, and people inside are left wondering what’s going on. Miami, Florida, and Alabama were expected to be the three schools he chose from. In a shocker, he picks up a Miami Hurricanes hat and puts it on once he arrives, signaling his commitment to Mario Cristobal and Co.

“It came down to the last moment and the last few days and I said, I’ve got to pick one,” he told the Lakeland Ledger. “About two or three days ago, me and my mom sat down and had a long talk.”

Early December: Speculation begins that McClain could take an official visit to the University of Alabama before the Early Signing Period, which began on December 21. The Crimson Tide were at one time considered the favorite to land him. However, on December 9, McClain tells On3’s Hayes Fawcett that “I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know where they got that from. They’re wildin’ out.”

McClain did not end up visiting Alabama.

December 9, 2022: McClain’s mother tweets out a photo of her, her son and Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, with the caption: “The smile on our faces explains this visit. Thank you.”

December 20, 2022: McClain’s mother tweets out that tomorrow (Dec. 21) will be Signing Day for her son at Lakeland High School at 10 a.m. ET.

December 21, 2022: At 9:36 a.m. ET, roughly 20 minutes before McClain is expected to sign his National Letter of Intent, his mother tweets out: FALSE ALARM!!!! THERE WILL BE NO SIGNING FOR @CormaniMcClain2 TODAY…. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!!!”

December 23, 2022: The final day of the Early Signing period passes without Cormani McClain sending his NLI to Miami. In this time, rumors have run rampant that Colorado and new head coach Deion Sanders have gotten involved his recruitment.

December 29, 2022: At media day for the Under Armour All-America Game, McClain declines to comment about his recruitment but confirms that he is still committed to Miami.

January 3, 2023: During a live broadcast of the Under Armour All-America Game on ESPN, McClain says he is going to “signing on January 15.” On that date however, he could only sign a financial aid agreement, which does not lock him into a school. On February 1, National Signing Day, McClain could then sign his National Letter of Intent, which binds him to the college of his choice.

“I’m still in the same spot with my recruitment, but I’m gonna be signing Jan. 15,” McClain said.

January 13, 2023: Multiple Miami coaches, including head coach Mario Cristobal, reportedly showed up to Lakeland High to visit McClain, but he was not there as originally planned.

January 14, 2023: Images surface of what appears to be McClain visiting the University of Colorado, with a recruit in a Buffaloes uniform wearing his signature “7” necklace showing up in an Instagram Live.

Later that night, a Twitter user screenshotted a video posted to the YouTube account of Well Off Media, a channel run by Deion Sanders Jr., that featured a thumbnail of Deion Sanders and McClain together at Folsom Field with the title “This might be the biggest recruiting weekend so far for CU and Coach Prime.”

January 15, 2023: On Sunday morning, the account had changed the thumbnail to a picture of Sanders standing next to what appears to be a projection of the original image of him and Cormani McClain on the wall next to him.

But that night, McClain confirmed an official visit to Colorado by posting photos of his trip to Boulder on Instagram. The pictures including McClain standing with head coach Deion Sanders at Folsom Field, Colorado’s football stadium.