Cormani McClain. He rose to national attention for the wrong reasons around this time in 2024. Once a coveted 5-star recruit whom Deion Sanders flipped from Miami, his journey in Colorado took an unexpected twist when questions about his work ethic and preparedness surfaced. Coach Prime spilled it saying, “[McClain]’s got to prepare. Study, prepare, be on time for meetings… desire to be the best in this game, at practice, in the film room, and in your own free time.” Then he hit the spring transfer portal and landed in Florida.

Fast forward a year, Cormani McClain has flipped the script in Gainesville. After transferring to Florida last year as a walk-on, he wasn’t just fighting for playing time. He was fighting for a scholarship. And now? He’s one of the biggest storylines coming out of the Gators’ spring campaign. And yeah, Billy Napier might have to rethink his plans for 2025.

Gatorsonline’s Zach Abolverdi joined Josh Newberg in a new Inside Scoop episode on On3 Recruits on March 20 to drop some spring practice intel on Cormani McClain. According to Newberg, “He’s been one of the players that’s had one of the best off seasons so far.” The other added, “Since he arrived in Gainesville last summer transferring over from Colorado, he’s put on 20 pounds. He weighed 6, 162 when he showed up in Gainesville and he’s 182 now.” This additional weight didn’t slow him down. Rather, it was the opposite. 

Per Florida’s director of strength and conditioning Tyler Miles, Cormani McClain also improved his speed from 22 mph when he arrived from Colorado to a current 23 mph in drills, an elite mark that only a few Gators players have achieved. “Cormani is one of the fastest players on Florida’s roster despite adding 20 pounds over the past year,” Abolverdi said. His work in the weight room didn’t go unnoticed by both the coach and his teammates. 

Veteran Gators player Tyreak Sapp loves the transformation that Cormani McClain underwent. “I love the kid,” he said. “To see him come from that situation, where there wasn’t a whole lot of structure, he just needed somebody to push him and have teammates be there for him. He works really hard, not just at his craft, but just to be the best person he can be everyday. He has grown up a lot… Cormani is going to be dangerous.” And for McClain, it wasn’t an easy road. He was a sort of reclamation project but the way he not only embraced the challenges but made a case for himself earned him a scholarship. Still, given his history, speculations never really left when he first joined the Gators. 

Cormani McClain’s rise and Billy Napier’s tough call

Shortly after arriving in Florida, rumors swirled that Cormani McClain was missing meetings and skipping school. But Zach Abolverdi was quick to shut that narrative down saying, “That was actually one of the things that I think he tackled early on after transferring… There were some growing pains but I do know that talking from Florida of some of Florida’s coaches and people inside the program, he’s been completely turned the corner with that.” And yes, per the report, he’s cleaned up his punctuality issues, got into a rhythm with Florida’s schedule structure, and has become an early arrival at meetings and workouts. But here’s the tough spot for Billy Napier. 

Cormani McClain’s resurgence has put Florida’s coaching staff in an interesting predicament. With the departure of Jason Marshall Jr., the Gators have a need at CB. Devin Moore is penciled as the starter but the second spot is up for grabs. And right now, the rising star has every opportunity to take it. He’s running with the first-team defense in spring practice, battling Southern Miss transfer Michael Caraway and returning player Dijon Johnson for the job. 

If Cormani McClain keeps up the momentum, Billy Napier may have no choice but to elevate him to a starting role in 2025. And this is a remarkable turnaround for a player whose future once seemed uncertain.