The Gators are out of the muddy waters and breathing some fresh, spring air. Florida saw a huge upturn transpire down the stretch this past season. They finished the year 8-5. A respectable outcome within the treacherous Southeastern faction, especially with how hard their schedule was. This upturn coincided with a run at QB for true freshman DJ Lagway. Over on defense, another high-rated arrival with much more tempered expectations was subjected to the shadows. But after a rocky transition to college football, cornerback Cormani McClain’s time in the sun is here—and he’s making it count.

Spring football is like that spin-off between breaks in the canon of a TV series. You’re yearning for some football, but there’s just too big a gap between January and September. Your team’s makeup and personnel have turned on their heads, and you want a teaser of what to expect. 15 days of practice in breezy, summery Florida weather. 2 of which are strictly non-contact.

Followed by an inter-program exhibition showcase to get a taste for game situations and warm yourself to the fans if you’re new. Then go back to sitting lectures in class, waiting for August to roll about. The idiosyncrasy of it all is meshed with a chance for fans to grow closer to the team they love. This strange concoction sounds like something right up the alley of the eccentric Cormani McClain. No wonder he’s thriving in its wake.

McClain was the No. 1 CB prospect out of high school in his class of ‘23. As with most of America, he was attracted by the magnetic allure of Deion Sanders and joined the Colorado Buffaloes. That sheen dulled very quickly, though. Coach Prime essentially banished him from the team due to repeated disciplinary issues. Cormani McClain had all the talent but almost none of the application. He was late to meetings, not watching films, and even failing to dedicate effort to learning the playbook. A divergence to their separate ways was clearly requisite. McClain entered the portal and came over to Billy Napier’s Florida. After a year of biding his time with just 2 games for the Gators, he’s seemingly matured. Things are clicking, and how.

Cormani McClain has clocked in at 23 mph during week one of spring practice. All while gaining 20lb of muscle. Figure that. Over the Hightop Sports YouTube channel, Florida insider Cam Parker was asked who’s the standout player from week 1 of the Gators’ spring practice. Without hesitation, Parker waxed lyrical about McClain. “The early winner of camp is obviously Cormani McClain. I mean, he’s just burst off. You can see it at practice how much weight he’s put on. He’s muscular. He’s looked stronger. Tyler Miles had nothing but positive things to say about him,” he said. Miles is the director of strength and conditioning for the program. Cam Parker proceeded to contextualize just how great a turnaround McClain is forcing.

Parker relayed that Cormani McClain had the exact same aforementioned disciplinary issues with Florida last season too. An epiphany, a eureka moment, can come at any time. McClain’s seemingly had his. “He’s completely turned it around since then. Cormani McClain a year ago is completely different than Cormani McClain now. He’s showing up on time. Devin Moore said that with the injuries in the corner room, he’s been a leader for the defensive backs… He’s putting in the work,” resounded Parker.

Moore is a fellow CB of McClain’s. It’s never too late to mend your ways, and the still very young and supremely talented McClain has done so. Speaking of young and supremely talented, this segues into DJ Lagway. He’s not quite having as eventful a spring.

Cormani McClain’s good news slightly undercut by Billy Napier’s update on DJ Lagway

All head coaches want to build their team to project their own philosophy. As an offensive-minded guy, Billy Napier is naturally more inclined to focus on that side of the football. In his 3 years at Florida, he’s been the primary play-caller. Entering Year 4, Napier is still not passing off the playbook and that direct line with Lagway through the headset. Makes sense given how much of his future depends on his QB. But It’s on the board that Lagway has a bit of a sophomore slump and doesn’t keep up with the standards he set for himself. If that is the case, Napier may not survive past this season. That said, there’s a more tangible worry than a sophomore slump looming over the Swamp.

DJ Lagway’s arrival on the college scene wasn’t exactly seamless, with bad health stunting his season. Injuries aren’t a predictable factor, but DJ Lagway missed time with them last season. It is particularly high-risk with him and is becoming a recurring theme. He’s hurt right at this moment, too. Lagway didn’t fully partake in spring camp this week, and Napier has an update. “Our intentions here are to be very smart,” he said. “[Lagway will] be limited in throwing activities. But he’ll participate in all practices otherwise.” The hamstring has been a nagging issue for Lagway and, by extension, Napier. Maybe he needs to get on that Cormani McClain plan!

There are a couple of prominent reasons why Billy Napier bought himself another year in Gainesville. One, the players, including Lagway, did not down tools and continued to honor their head coach on the gridiron every Saturday. Two, the Gators program did not have a permanent president in place.

This meant the decision to part with his $51.8 million contract was not one they could be rushed into. His reverence within the squad, as well as circumstances, have kept Napier safe thus far. He’ll now have to reciprocate that through his coaching. A program of this ilk cannot hover around .500 each year. With Cormani McClain as good as a new person, he’s got some help. The keys to the operation are still held by DJ Lagway though, and his health is paramount.