Florida made a late splash in the 2024 college football transfer portal cycle when it secured a Wednesday commitment from Colorado defensive back and former five-star recruit Cormani McClain. The once-prized pass defender had a rocky first year at the collegiate level in which coach Deion Sanders said McClain stood in his own way, but despite the questions about his motivation, he was productive down the stretch of his freshman year.
If McClain reaches his lofty ceiling as the top-ranked cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class and No. 21 overall player in the transfer portal, his addition to the Gators’ roster will be a home run for coach Billy Napier, who enters win-now mode in his third year at the helm. 247Sports college football recruiting experts say Napier must have a short leash with McClain, though, in order for his arrival to not be a distraction.
“It’s a pretty interesting take for Billy Napier in what seems to be a make-or-break year for Napier and the Gators,” national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna said on the 247Sports Football Recruiting Podcast. “It’s not like Florida doesn’t have a secondary with a lot of young pieces that we like that have also played as true freshmen. So, a very calculated risk with a lot of high upside, but you’re also rolling the dice here, in my opinion. Potentially throwing a grenade into that room, as well.”