When Deion Sanders arrived at Boulder it led to a complete revamp of the playing squad. Many prospects moved out and many more moved in. Among those who arrived, former Lakeland high school cornerback Cormani McClain was the crown jewel as Coach Prime’s first five-star recruit. However, after joining in January last year, McClain would only stay for a season marred with controversies before entering the transfer portal this year.

Like his stint at the Buffs, his departure wasn’t without noise. In April, he posted a video titled “Next Step” addressing his move to the transfer portal and appeared to take a dig at Sanders and the Buffs program. He said, “Some people just gotta take a step back from things sometimes, certain people, you know. I feel like I just don’t want to play for clicks. I actually want to be involved with a great leading program that’s going to develop players.” At the time, Sanders wished McClain all the best and there appeared to be no animosity.

However, in a presser on October 8, Sanders appeared to take a subtle dig at the manner of McClain’s departure and his comments afterward. In a YouTube episode posted by Brian Howell, we see Deion Sanders give his comments on two former Colorado players who transferred during the offseason. In Tuesday’s weekly press conference, he first talked about RB Dylan Edwards who is now a Kansas State player.

Speaking to the press, Coach Prime said, “I love the young man (Edwards). love him to life. Everybody who leaves here in the right manner, I want them to be successful. I have never wished wrongful or bad things on any young man or woman in my life or on any of you all.” 

Sanders then added, “I just hate when guys make those decisions and they leave and they shoot back at us.” While his comments about wishing players who leave Colorado the best seem alright, the mention of leaving in the right manner and shooting back could be a dig at McClain.  If this was less obvious, Sanders had more to say.

He further added, ” If you going where you’re going you don’t shoot back because you’re so focused on where you head. You ain’t got time to turn around and shoot back so I thank him for not being that guy.”

The relationship between Sanders and McClain unraveled in the early weeks of the last season. The high-profile prospect did not make his debut until Week 4 in a loss at Oregon. His first start came in Week 6 when the Buffaloes won at Arizona State. He played just 108 snaps in the first nine games of the 2023 campaign. When asked in September last year what was keeping McClain from taking to the field often, Sanders responded, “He is,” and didn’t hold back.

Coach Prime mentioned, “Study, prepare, be on time for meetings. Show up to the darn meetings. Understand what we’re doing as a scheme. Want to play this game. Desire to play this game. Desire to be the best at this game — at practice, in the film room and on your own free time.”

Although he clarified, “And that’s just not about Cormani, it’s about a multitude of them. So if I don’t see that, you would be a fool to put somebody out there unprepared. Can’t do it. Won’t do it. I’m old school.” McClain did see an upturn in his playing time during the final three games of the regular season finishing with 169 total snaps as a starter. But that’s as good as it got for the McClain-Sanders combo.

Cormani McClain’s mother Kaishay added more fuel to the heat between her son and Deion Sanders. She posted a tweet that read “Gotta be somewhere where you’re appreciated and not just tolerated!!!” After remaining in the transfer portal for quite some time, McClain found a new home with the Florida Gators. But his stay there is going in a downward spiral.

How is Cormani McClain coping?

Billy Napier had hoped for Cormani McClain saying “he’s going to be okay,” despite some early reported trouble. He is yet to start a game this season, though this could be down to a reported eye injury. But as the new season began, his activities suggested a reignited interest in Colorado.

On September 23, he posted a photo of himself on his Instagram, posing with a black T-shirt that had a golden No.1 written on the back, his number from his time at the Buffs. Then the Gators star shared an Instagram story, showing him in attendance for the Buffs’ 48-21 win against UCF. Some people voiced that the Florida freshman might be pining to come back to Deion Sanders’  program.

However, his mom Kaishay laid down her statement after Florida also defeated UCF 24-13 a week later. On her IG, she shared her enthusiasm saying, “Great Win Gators.” This could indicate that his son is still committed to Billy Napier and Florida. Still, with McClain we have learned one thing and that is he will be in the news whether he is on the field or not.

For more college football talk, check out this engaging exclusive interview with Doug Sanders.