Even in defeat against LSU, the Gators got a glimpse of defensive promise. And the credit goes to DB Cormani McClain. Even though the redshirt sophomore made his 2nd start as a Gator, McClain made every moment count. He notched two tackles, and both were crucial. On third-and-2, he stopped a runner to force a punt. Later, he chased down Caden Durham on a 51-yard run, preventing a TD. “I’m proud of Cormani. He started in the game, he had a good week of practice,” said HC Billy Napier. McClain proved why he’s a star on defense by delivering a standout performance against Miami on Saturday.

Their latest defeat has dropped the Gators to 1-3. Still, there was a silver lining. McClain had racked up three tackles and snagged an interception, stepping up for fellow CB Dijon Johnson, who missed the game due to a knee injury. Cormani’s performance drew high praise. “Incredibly excited for my brother Cormani,” said CB Devin Moore. “I’ve seen the hard work he’s put in, the extra field time with coaches, the little details he focused on, it’s paying off.” And now with the latest update, McClain is receiving strong support from fans.

On September 21, Florida insider Nick Marcinko reported that Cormani McClain was the Gators’ highest-graded player against Miami, earning an impressive PFF score of 84.9. But McClain’s journey hasn’t been easy. The 6-foot-2, 173-pound corner transferred from Colorado in 2024 as a preferred walk-on and spent much of fall camp in and out of practice. Despite the hurdles, he’s proving he belongs on the field. And now he is making a big impact for Florida’s secondary.

Even last year, despite limited opportunities, McClain showed flashes of brilliance. He made his Gator debut against Kentucky, snagging his first career interception and taking it 29 yards for a TD. He followed that up with four tackles and 0.5 TFLs against Georgia. Then at Texas, he earned his first start as a Gators cornerback, proving he could perform against elite competition. And even in 2025, McClain has been making his presence felt early.

Against LIU, he logged 29 snaps: 18 on defense and 11 on special teams. Then he saw even more action against USF, totaling 43 snaps with 32 on defense, adding a solo tackle for a one-yard loss. Against LSU, McClain got his first start of the season, where he recorded 3 tackles. After the Carson Beck interception, fans across CFB are taking notice, showing support and excitement.

Fans rally behind Cormani McClain

Last season tested McClain’s toughness. Because criticism piled on, pressure mounted, and his confidence wavered. But 2025 is a different story. And his play is making waves, so the turnaround hasn’t gone unnoticed. One urged him, stating, “Keep putting that work in nep, ur destined for great things.. only you can stop you!!!” Another fan simply said, “Very proud of Cormani!!” So, McClain’s resilience is paying off, and the fan base is riding with him.

Some fans lit up social media with praise. One described his interception, stating, “One of the best & most athletic INTs I’ve seen all year.” Another dropped encouragement with, “Good sh–, keep grindin! 💪🏾💯🙏🏾🫡.” So, the buzz is building, and McClain is quickly turning Gator fans into believers. Following that, one diehard pointed out the bigger picture, writing, “He broke up another pass. He had more looks than just that one.” But the best part was still to come.

After the transfer and his viral “playing for clicks” jab, McClain quickly became public enemy No. 1 in the Buffs’ locker room. And the backlash was brutal. But now, the tables are turning. Fans are rallying behind him, firing back at the critics. One even dropped a sharp reminder, stating, “I wish I could find all those videos from people who were trash talking this kid.” So, the tide is shifting, and McClain’s proving the doubters wrong.