Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes stand even after losing the same number of new players they had brought in this season to the transfer portal. Cormani McClain, five-star and the nation’s top defender in the 2023 recruiting class, is becoming the tenth Colorado player to enter the portal.
The Lakeland, Fla. native, had joined forces with the Buffaloes after flipping on Miami on the signing day. However, unlike most other seamless transitions, McClain’s transfer has stirred up some serious controversies. McClain quickly found himself amidst severe criticism following a comment he made earlier directed towards his former coach and football program. However, there was someone already reaching out to defend the young athlete.
Cormani McClain’s former coach comes to his rescue
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The young athlete has been accused of defaming his former football program and head coach on YouTube and has attracted a lot of negative attention. Amidst all the criticism, Cormani’s former coach Daunta Peterson recently took to Platform X in order to defend him. “I coached him from his Freshman year to his Jr. year at WR, he never missed a meeting and had pretty damn good grades,” Peterson stated, shutting down the haters. He resounded that, “At the end of the day he’s a kid,” and should not be treated harshly, regardless of any shortcomings.
I keep seeing news about @CormaniMcClain2. I keep seeing the word accountable attached to it.
I also see people mention how he’s missed meetings and or classes. Who in NCAA Football has never missed or been late to a meeting? The difference is, if it did happen the entire…
— Coach Peterson (@DauntaPeterson) April 22, 2024
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He further criticized those who have called McClain out individually for missing out on team “meetings and or classes,” stating that these are not grave mistakes and many students and coaches missed out on the same regularly and it does not make it to the news. McClain did not cause serious concern, like “arrested, He didn’t fail a drug test, he didn’t put his hands on a female,” and therefore he should be allowed some slack. Sentiments were hurt after Cormani made a snide comment regarding Deion Sanders’ coaching practices and the Colorado football program as a whole, and many criticized him and his decision to enter the transfer portal four weeks deep into the Spring Practice session.
Cormani calls out Coach Prime and his Colorado program
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The young athlete has been accused of defaming his former football program and head coach on YouTube and has attracted a lot of negative attention. “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,” McClain had stated on Q&A in a YouTube video titled “Next Step” on Sunday. Even though he was a five-star recruit he struggled in his effort to elevate the Buffs’ game. As a true freshman last year, he featured in nine games, securing four starts. McClain’s standout performance emerged during the USC game, showcasing his prowess. By the season’s end, he tallied 13 tackles, including one for loss, and managed two pass breakups. Although his tenure was brief, McClain declared for the transfer portal on Tuesday.
“I’m just ready to bring the old version of me out and change the narrative of everyone’s thinking on my name” stated MvClain. He wishes to “be a part of a real and a great program that’s going to impact me at my best ability.” McClain refrained from mentioning specific individuals or delving into the reasons behind his departure from Colorado, a team that garnered significant attention on social media during the tenure of its Hall of Fame head coach.