Florida Football: Former target Cormani McClain struggling at Colorado

If we hit the rewind machine to the summer of last year, Florida football was still trying to find its footing in the recruiting world. The Gators were starting to pick up some notable names, but Florida still needed a premier headliner to round out the class.

Lakeland’s Cormani McClain looked like he was going to be that guy before he committed to Miami, only to flip to Colorado.

But in his press conference yesterday, head coach Deion Sanders revealed that McClain isn’t quite ready to see the field in a starting capacity.

Florida Football: Prime Time

McClain was a five-star defensive back out of Lakeland High School, a once breeding ground for Gator greats. His recruitment process was long and winding, but at one point, 247 Sports had McClain crystal balled to Florida football.

Even with smoke surrounding his recruitment and some interest from Alabama, the belief was that McClain was still locked in with the Gators.

Then, in October of last year, McClain shocked everyone when he announced his commitment to Miami.

That turned into a saga of its own as McClain never signed his national letter of intent and ended up flipping to Colorado.

After two-way star Travis Hunter took a late hit against Colorado State and will be out for a few weeks with a liver injury, one might expect McClain to be the next man up for the Buffaloes at cornerback.

At his press conference yesterday, Sanders indicated that wasn’t going to be the case.

"“No (McClain isn’t ready). The plan at corner is corner by committee. This is why we practice, we’re going to see who steps up and who takes over that role”"

Sanders was then asked a follow-up question as to what is holding McClain back from being a starter.

"“He is. He is (holding himself back)”"

As much as we have written that Sanders wouldn’t be a great fit as head coach of the Gators, it is refreshing that he isn’t just handing out spots because of star rating or because someone is next in line. He is making his guys earn it (as long as you don’t count his son at QB).

Would McClain have done better if he stayed in the Sunshine State? Hard to say.

For someone as talented as he was coming out of high school, we doubt this is the last we have heard of McClain though.

You can find Colorado’s press conference here. Sanders is asked about McClain with the first question.