GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Cornerback Cormani McClain will transfer to Florida, returning to his home state after initially choosing to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado in 2023. McClain announced his decision on X, saying, “It’s always a lesson when you take a loss, as soon as you find it correct it. #Backhome.” The 6-foot-2, 165-pound McClain, with a 6-foot-4 wingspan, is a 5-star recruit and was a UF target. He had committed to Miami over the Gators and Alabama before ultimately joining Sanders’ rebuilding effort in Boulder.
McClain will join UF as a preferred walk-on since the Gators are currently at their 85-man scholarship limit. However, potential name, image, and likeness opportunities could help the 20-year-old cover costs until a scholarship spot opens up due to roster changes. In his time at Colorado, he appeared in six games, recording 13 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
After McClain announced his plans to transfer, Deion Sanders expressed well wishes while also questioning McClain’s commitment level at Colorado. “I pray to God that he goes to a program that challenges him, holds him accountable, and develops him as a young man,” Sanders said on the DNVR podcast. “Unfortunately, we weren’t the program that could accomplish that. So prayerfully, he understands that this is his second go-around and gets it. Go get it, man. Because he has a tremendous amount of talent, but he has to want it.”
McClain made a name for himself with nine interceptions as a sophomore in 2021 at Lakeland Lake Gibson High. He followed up with six picks in 2022, though he only managed a pair as a senior when opposing offenses began avoiding his side of the field.
At a position that is heavily reliant on fourth-year starter Jason Marshall Jr. and 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior Devin Moore of Naples, McClain will offer depth. There will be competition for snaps from sophomores Ja’Keem Jackson and Dijon Johnson, as well as freshmen Jameer Grimsley and Teddy Foster.