Next steps of Miami Five-Star Plus+ CB commit Cormani McClain's recruitment 'still to be determined'

Miami earned one of the biggest recruiting wins of the 2023 cycle when Lakeland (Fla.) Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Cormani McClain committed to the Hurricanes on Oct. 27. However, McClain did not sign with head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff during the Early Signing Period.

On National Signing Day, it was reported by Steve Wiltfong of 247 Sports that McClain was in communication with Colorado‘s staff. According to On3’s Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, there may be some time before any news comes up regarding his next steps.

“I think we’ve confirmed, obviously, Colorado has been in communication,” Simmons said Monday on The Inside Scoop, On3’s recruiting show. “I know Alabama‘s had at least some communication with Cormani at one time. Obviously, (his finalists were) Alabama, Florida and Miami when he chose to commit to Miami. I haven’t heard anything about Florida getting back engaged in communication just yet. Everybody’s just kind of told me they want some quiet time, some time to themselves, try and think about things, talk things over during this dead period.

“I think we’ll hear a little bit more come mid-January, but right now, I think they kind of left Miami hanging more than anybody else in this. They were trying to power to get him signed Thursday, then into Friday. Obviously, McClain and his camp chose not to. So I think everything right now is still to be determined.”

A 6-foot-1.5, 160-pound recruit, McClain took an official visit to Miami on the weekend of June 25 and is the highest-ranked member of the Hurricanes’ 2023 recruiting class. Simmons believes that Cristobal and Co. will work to keep McClain in Coral Gables.

“Based on what I know right now, it seems like Miami’s gonna go just as hard,” Simmons said. “Miami wants him in this class. Again, things could change and we’re going off, obviously, different communication with different people, but putting things together, Miami still wants Cormani McClain in this class, as of the day after Christmas. So we’ll see what happens between now and February, but right now, I expect Miami to stay in this race.”

McClain is the No. 3 overall prospect and No. 1 cornerback in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Florida.

Cormani McClain On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Cormani McClain:

“Has the best combination of stature, athleticism and ball skills among cornerback prospects in the 2023 cycle. Measured over 6-foot-1 prior to his junior season and has posted some of the best testing numbers in a combine setting we’ve seen from prospects in his cycle. A twitchy, bouncy athlete with explosive movement patterns. Pairs that athleticism with high end skill on the field. Has proven to be a ballhawk defender with nine interceptions as a sophomore and five picks midway through his junior season.

“Uses his quickness to stay in-phase with receivers off the line and long speed to turn and run downfield. Highly instinctual and plays fast. Breaks on the ball quickly. Comfortable playing off and press coverage. Doubles as a receiver, which aids in his ball skills and coordination. Would be a four-star type talent at receiver if he chose. Has a thinner frame at 165 pounds and will need to continue adding bulk. Older for the class.”

McClain has an On3 NIL Valuation of $366K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.