Ad Disclosure
Florida linked to former 5-star recruit, Gator target, in transfer portal as walk-on
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Florida is recruiting Cormani McClain again, this time under different circumstances.
Out of Lakeland, Florida, McClain was a 5-star prospect, rated the No. 1 cornerback and No. 13 player overall in the Class of 2023 on the 247Sports Composite.
McClain picked up scholarship offers from 26 programs. Florida, Alabama and Miami were in the mix for McClain’s initial commitment.
The Florida coaching staff, Gator recruiting insiders and national recruiting reporters were all expecting McClain to commit to the Gators at his Oct. 27, 2022 commitment ceremony.
Instead, McClain stunned the college football world, committing to Miami. Billy Napier and his assistants were reportedly blindsided by McClain’s Miami commitment.
McClain’s commitment to Miami, however, did not last. He extended his recruitment beyond the December Early Signing Period and flipped to Colorado, signing to play for Deion Sanders’ program in February 2023.
McClain’s rocky time in Colorado
McClain arrived at Colorado with plenty of hype, but he did not have the instant-impact freshman season many expect from a 5-star recruit. He played in 9 games, including 4 stars, recording 13 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
Like many other Buffs, McClain opted for the transfer portal after a season with Coach Prime.
After the portal announcement, Sanders spoke highly of McClain’s talent, but said the rising sophomore had some maturing to do.
“I pray to God that he goes to a program that challenges him, as well as holds him accountable and develops him as a young man,” Sanders said in an interview. “Unfortunately, we weren’t the program that could accomplish that. I pray that he understands that this is the second go around and go get it, because he has a tremendous amount of talent. But he has to want it.”
A twist to McClain’s potential Florida homecoming
McClain entered the transfer portal on April 16. Four weeks later, he remains uncommitted.
Talk of Florida being a potential landing spot started with social media rumors and then heated up when it was reported that McClain was recently in Gainesville for a campus visit. On Monday, CBS Sports shared a note of interest: McClain would be joining UF as a walk-on if he decides to play for the Gators.
While some fans might think the walk-on opportunity is about McClain’s reported issues at Colorado or his commitment troll from 2022, the fact is that the Gators can only offer a walk-on spot right now. Florida has all 85 scholarships accounted for with the addition of Jason Zandamela out of the portal earlier this month.
The spring transfer portal window closed on April 30. This year, even graduate transfers were required to enter the portal. It would take an unusual circumstance for a scholarship to open up on the Florida roster before the 2024 season.
Joining as a walk-on might come off as a bit humbling for McClain, but CBS’ report indicates there would be NIL compensation to make up for the lack of a scholarship.
If McClain finally ends up at Florida, he’ll be the highest-rated walk-on in program history.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
