The Colorado Buffaloes have experienced several losses to the transfer portal, with cornerback Cormani McClain being one of the biggest hits. Despite initially committing to the University of Miami, McClain chose to play for the Buffaloes. He was highly regarded as a top recruit, ranked No. 4 in the country by ESPN and the top cornerback in his class. McClain spoke highly of Colorado head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders when he committed in January 2023. However, he ultimately decided to transfer to the University of Florida, his home state, after entering the portal earlier this year.
McClain, who hails from Lakeland, Florida, played in nine games for Colorado last season, starting in four. He is the fourth defensive back to move to Florida via the transfer portal. In a YouTube video announcing his decision to transfer, McClain alluded to wanting to be part of a program that would challenge and develop him to his fullest potential. Sanders expressed disappointment that Colorado was not able to provide McClain with the support and development he needed, hinting that the player may not have given his best effort during his time with the Buffaloes.
Despite the initial success of the Buffaloes, including an impressive victory over TCU in the beginning of the season and a 3-0 start, they struggled overall and finished last in the Pac-12 with a 1-8 record. The team will be transitioning to the Big 12 Conference as the Pac-12 dissolves for the 2024-25 season. Sanders, while disappointed in McClain’s decision to leave, expressed his hope that the player would find the right program for his development and success moving forward. McClain’s departure is seen as another loss for the Buffaloes as they navigate changes within the college football landscape and work to rebuild their program.
Legendary college football coach Urban Meyer recently made controversial comments likening name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation to “cheating” and questioning the intent behind it. While McClain’s decision to transfer was focused on finding a program that would provide the support and development he sought, Meyer’s remarks have sparked further debate within the college football community. As McClain moves on to play for the Florida Gators, the Buffaloes will continue to address roster changes and challenges as they prepare for their transition to a new conference. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage for the latest updates and insights on college football and the transfer portal.
