Sometimes, no matter how good or talented you are, there is no productivity if you’re on the wrong team. During the 2023 recruiting class, Lakeland High School standout Cormani McClain was highly touted as a 5-star prospect and the No. 13 overall player, per On3. He already had many interested college football programs vying for his attention. Still, he narrowed his decision to three colleges — Miami, Florida, and Alabama — and eventually committed to the Miami Hurricanes. 

Despite his commitment, Cormani McClain shocked everybody when he suddenly flipped from Miami to join Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes. But the sailing wasn’t smooth as he only started in four out of nine games, where he recorded 13 tackles and defended two passes. After his dismal first season in Colorado, he’s leaving Deion Sanders and his team behind.

Georgia and Oregon are among the programs interested in signing Cormani McClain

Former CU Buffs’ 5-star CB Cormani McClain recently made headlines with his decision to enter the spring transfer portal. But according to Hayes Fawcett’s X post, “Cormani McClain tells @on3sports that he’s heard from these 11 schools since entering the Transfer Portal.” Unsurprisingly, many programs want to sign this 5-star talent out of Lakeland.

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, along with Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks, are among the schools that are eager for his presence. The other nine programs showing interest include LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Auburn, USC, UCLA, Texas A&M, USF, and UCF. It’s not to say that both Coach Prime and McClain didn’t do their due diligence in benefiting each other. But when all is said and done and the freshman enters the portal, Deion Sanders wishes the best for his former player. 

Deion Sanders waves Cormani McClain off with a prayer

While Cormani McClain’s short stint at Colorado is anything but fruitful, Deion Sanders still roots for him. After his transfer announcement, the Buffs HC told DNVR Sports, “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.“ He also regretted that the Buffs couldn’t provide him with what he needed. 

Coach Prime further added, “So prayerfully that he understands that this is his second go-around and get it. Go get it, man. Because he has a tremendous amount of talent, but he has to want it.“ All eyes will be on McClain as he decides his next step. Hopefully, he’ll choose a program that will bring out the best of his abilities and fulfill Deion Sanders’ prayer request.