Billy Napier green-lighted the Cormani McClain pick-six celebration

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Cormani McClain made his long-awaited Florida debut on Saturday night, and it turned into a party in the North End Zone. UF coach Billy Napier not only tolerated the celebration, he encouraged it.

After McClain put the exclamation point on the Gators’ 48-20 win over Kentucky with a pick-six, Napier actually gave the green light as dozens of players cleared the bench to go celebrate the play with him on the field.

“With Cormani McClain’s pick, when the whole sideline leaves and goes and gets into it with him in the end zone, that’s love and that’s too fun,” UF cornerback Devin Moore said in his postgame radio interview. “Coach Napier took the penalty. He said when we make a play like that and celebrate too hard, he’s going to take that.”

The celebration was well worth the 15-yard flag.

McClain has spent several months working to earn that moment, which seemed unlikely to happen this season after he didn’t appear in the first six games.

“He didn’t know when his moment was going to come,” Florida receiver Elijhah Badger said of McClain. “His moment came, and he used the best of it.”

Starting cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. suffered an injury in the third quarter and was sidelined with his right arm in a sling. With him and Ja’Keem Jackson out, McClain had his number called.

He read the quarterback and jumped the route on his pick-six, but Napier was more impressed with the pass breakup that McClain had in the South End Zone. He also made a tackle on Saturday.

“Jason goes down, we’re down Ja’Keem and here we go, Cormani McClain is on the field. He made an incredible play down here in this corner, the end zone right there, that PBU,” Napier said.

“Guy got injured and he was able to go in there and do his job in a critical moment. He’s got great instincts. I think there is more room for growth. That’s what I would say.”

NAIL IN THE COFFIN @CormaniMcclain1

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— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 20, 2024

Cormani McClain’s new chapter at Florida

After tumultuous freshman season at Colorado, where he made four starts in nine games played, McClain transferred to the Gators last summer looking for a fresh start.

The former five-star recruit joined the program as a preferred walk-on but would have the chance to earn a scholarship once he proved himself on and off the field this fall.

McClain had some initial struggles upon arrival — with the UF coaches shooting down rumors of his dismissal — but began to find his footing at Florida in July.

After starting as a freshman, he started out on the scout team at UF. The staff wasn’t counting on him to contribute in 2024, but his talent has been undeniable in practice.

“When Cormani was on the scout team early in the season he would intercept a couple passes every day,” Napier said. “I would just tell the staff like, ‘Hey, this guy is down here, he got here mid-summer. Doesn’t know as much but he can play man coverage.'”

McClain graded out as Florida’s top player on defense against Kentucky with a 90.1 PFF grade, including an impressive 91.1 grade in coverage. He also recorded the Gators’ first interception return for a touchdown in 25 games (Jaydon Hill vs. Missouri in 2022).

Napier did not provide an update on Marshall’s status after the game, but his injury could result in a starting role for McClain — especially after his performance Saturday. It was only the beginning for him, but he made quite the first impression on Gator Nation.

“He’s got a long way to go. Let’s don’t put the crown on the guy’s head right now, but he stepped up,” Napier said. “He’s matured, cleaning stuff up a little bit. He’s a rookie. Ultimately, got to continue to do what you’re supposed to do, and good things will happen.”

Earned the moment. 🐊#GoGators | @CormaniMcclain1 pic.twitter.com/tujn6GVOKv

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 20, 2024