Cormani McClain did not have the type of freshman season he was hoping for at Colorado and it sounds like the talented young cornerback feels that it was in part because of how Deion Sanders runs his program.
McClain, a former five-star cornerback, was the top recruit at his position in the 2023 class. He initially committed to Miami before flipping to Colorado so he could play for Sanders, who was a Hall of Fame cornerback in his playing days. Earlier this week, McClain entered the transfer portal.
In a Q&A with fans on YouTube over the weekend, McClain spoke about his decision to leave Colorado. He said he wants to be part of a program that actually develops players rather than having to “play for clicks.”
“I want to 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 the best of my ability. … I feel like I just don’t want to play for clicks,” McClain explained. “I actually want to be involved with a great leading program that’s gonna develop players.”
Former Colorado CB Cormani McClain on YouTube about being in the transfer portal (via @NMDgrant):
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) April 21, 2024
"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." pic.twitter.com/Z5KOacrq28
Of course, you could make the argument that McClain’s opinion of Sanders and Colorado is biased. McClain played very sparingly last season and Sanders publicly ripped him just a few games into the season.
Sanders has been known to encourage players to transfer and it would not be a surprise if he did that with McClain.
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