They say history has a way of repeating itself. And they also say a leopard never changes its spots. But let’s modify it a little to fit this particular context. A ‘Buffalo’ never changes its horns. In this case, the Buffalo refers to Cormani McClain because, if recent reports are anything to go by, the cornerback hasn’t changed after leaving Colorado. Even though he said he would.

“I’m just ready to bring the old version of me out and change the narrative of everyone’s thinking on my name [and] be a part of a real and a great program that’s going to impact me at my best ability.” This is what Cormani McClain said after entering the transfer portal this spring. When he joined the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders knew he was bringing on generation talent. After all, McClain was rated as a top-10 defensive back from Lakeland High School, Florida. However, while the cornerback may have shown spurts of his talent on the gridiron, that intent never translated off the field.

So, for most of the 2023 season, he remained in the shadows — the reason being his lack of “accountability.” Coach Prime called him out for it, and McClain decided to leave. But not without taking a jab at his former coach. “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.” As a program headed by Deion Sanders, there was bound to be heightened media attention, which is what McClain referred to. But it looks like the cornerback isn’t ‘changing the narrative’ around his name, even with the Florida Gators.

Despite Coach Prime extending all the assistance he could, Cormani McClain didn’t change. So now that he’s in Florida, can Coach Billy Napier accomplish what Coach Prime couldn’t? From De La Torre’s report, it looks like he already has. “The way that it’s handled is sort of like a strike system. Essentially, you get a warning, then you have to do extra runs/lifts… which he’s started to show up late for as well.” Seeing as the actions toward making him more accountable weren’t affecting him, Napier and his team reportedly strung in his teammates, too.

If Cormani McClain shows up late, the entire team gets punished. That’s essentially what Billy Napier is doing. De La Torre reported, “You’re not going to be liked in the locker room if your tardiness/immaturity is causing the rest of your team to have to run. Just immature. Needs to grow up.” McClain’s indifferent attitude toward the rules only sets the bar lower for him. However, although he and Deion Sanders couldn’t come to a mutual coach-player understanding – with McClain being one of the first Buffs to enter the spring transfer portal – Billy Napier is extremely intent on making it work. After all…

Talent has never been the problem with Cormani McClain

Nobody wants to suffer for someone else’s lack of competency. But, unfortunately, that’s what the rest of the Gators are going through because of their new cornerback. For McClain, talent isn’t an issue, but his lack of accountability put him under scrutiny with Deion Sanders in the first place. The former five-star recruit – the best-ranked cornerback in his class – transferred to Lakeland HS for his senior year to play under William Castle.

That year, he recorded 16 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble, all of which helped the school to a 14-0 season and a Florida 4S state championship. In Colorado, McClain played in 9 games, starting just 4. He registered 13 tackles (including 6 unassisted), 1 tackle for loss, and 2 pass breakups. As the Buffaloes ended their season with a disappointing 4-8 record, Coach Prime & Co. met an even more disappointing end to their partnership with Cormani McClain.

When the cornerback entered the portal, Deion Sanders wished him the best: “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.” While Cormani McClain still has a lot of developing to do (considering Nick De La Torre’s report), there’s no doubt that Billy Napier and the Florida Gators are doing their bit to hold him accountable.