Former Colorado CB Cormani McClain Says He Wants To Play For A ‘Real Program,’ Not Just ‘For Clicks’
Cormani McClain is throwing shade at Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.
McClain announced last week he will be entering the transfer portal. The former No.1 cornerback in the country from the 2023 recruiting class headed to Colorado with big aspirations for himself and the Buffaloes staff. Highly talented, McClain surprised everyone when he decided to join Sanders in Colorado, giving them another weapon alongside Travis Hunter.
But things didn't go as planned, and it appears McClain didn't leave Boulder on great terms. In a YouTube video posted Saturday, the 20-year-old laid out his "next step," while also taking a jab at Coach Prime's program.
"I'm just ready to bring the old version of me out and change the narrative of everyone's thinking on my name, be a part of a real and a great program that's going to impact me at my best ability," McClain said. "I feel like I just don't want to play for the clicks. I actually want to be involved with a great leading program that's going to develop players."
McClain was absent from Colorado's starting rotation to start the 2023 season, and questions began to arise about his standing on the team. He ended up starting just four games during his freshman season, appearing in nine games total. At the time, Sanders was frustrated with McClain's effort — or lack thereof.
"He's got to prepare," Sanders said in September. "Study, prepare, be on time for meetings, show up to the darn meetings, understand what we're doing as a scheme, want to play this game, desire to play this game, desire to be the best in this game, at practice, in the film room, and in your own free time."
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(Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports)
And now that McClain hit the transfer portal, Coach Prime is simply wishing him the best.
"I’m always in prayer for our young men, and I want the best for them. I pray to God that he goes to a program that challenges him, as well as hold him accountable and develop him as a young man," Sanders said in an interview with DNVR.
"Unfortunately, we weren’t the program that could accomplish that, so preferably he understands that this is the second go-round and get it — go get it man, because he has a tremendous amount of talent. But he has to want it."