Decision Day: Five-Star Plus+ CB, Alabama target Cormani McClain to announce decision

The highest-rated uncommitted prospect in the Class of 2023 is gearing up to announce his college decision. Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Cormani McClain, the No. 2 overall player on the 2023 On3 Consensus, will announce his commitment on Thursday night, with Alabama being one of his finalists.

This brings to a close a recruitment that officially began all the way back in October 2020 when McClain received an offer from Georgia Tech as a sophomore. Since then, he’s gone on to collect offers from over two dozen programs and has become the top-ranked corner in the country.

With his decision mere hours away, here are all the details for McClain’s upcoming announcement and also an assessment of where he is trending.

Commitment Date: Oct. 27

Finalists: Alabama, Florida, and Miami

Where: Youkey Theatre at RP Funding Center in Lakeland (Fla)

Time: The ceremony starts at 5:00 p.m. Central, but his commitment will likely be announced around 6:00 p.m.

How McClain will announce: You can watch McClain’s decision on CBSsportsHQ.com

Discussion: Talk of Champions Message Board

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Where is Cormani McClain trending ahead of his decision?

Although there were weekly questions as to where Cormani McClain was trending throughout his process, the product of Lakeland (Fla.) High has been consistent. His top five in August featured all three of the finalists that he’s currently down to, and McClain has talked about these programs the most in recent months.

The Alabama Crimson Tide appeared to have some momentum for McClain in the summer following a June unofficial visit. With no return trips to Tuscaloosa this season thus far, however, one program has seemingly established themselves at the top of his pecking order: Florida.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Gators have a 95.3 percent chance of landing McClain’s commitment today. That is fueled by four On3 expert predictions, including one from On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons.

UF appears to be in the driver’s seat heading into this decision after having hosted McClain on campus four times this year and on several other occasions the year prior. Miami did receive an official visit from him in June and Bama also got him on campus twice in 2022. In comparison, Florida has a clear and significant edge in the visit department.

Speaking of visits, it remains to be seen if McClain will take any additional trips following his commitment.

Even if he does choose the Gators, McClain will have the option to officially visit Alabama either for the weekend of the Iron Bowl or in December. The initial expectation was that he would take one for the Texas A&M game on Oct. 8, but those plans changed in favor of him coming back later in the year, which now remains uncertain.

McClain has previously expressed high interest in Alabama, telling BamaInsider the following last month.

“Alabama is a great team,” McClain said in September. “Great coaching staff. They produce a lot of athletes to the league. I think I’m an athlete that’s great for the program.

“Coach T-Rob, we keep in contact a lot,” McClain also said of cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson. “He’s telling me different things, different things for DBs. As a man, he pushes me. We’re very close. He’s a great coach. He keeps in contact a lot.”

Whoever lands McClain today will be getting an elite prospect. The 2023 On3 Consensus labels McClain the No. 2 overall player in this class, the top-ranked corner, and the highest-rated senior in Florida.

Alabama currently has 23 commitments in its 2023 class, which ranks No. 1 nationally per the 2023 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings. Stay tuned this evening to see if the Crimson Tide can land commit No. 24.

On3 Scouting Report on McClain

“Has the best combination of stature, athleticism and ball skills among cornerback prospects in the 2023 cycle,” the report reads. “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,” the report continues. “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.”