LAKELAND, Fla. – Surprise. surprise.
Much of the college football world woke up Thursday morning thinking that Florida was going to land a commitment from Cormani McClain. After all, the 247Sports’ Crystal Ball was painted orange and blue for the nation’s no. 1-ranked cornerback. But before the CBS Sports HQ cameras could even start rolling at McClain’s announcement ceremony, the lanky defender grabbed a microphone, picked up a Miami hat and threw up a “U” to signal that he plans to sign with the Hurricanes and not the Gators.
At first many in the crowd were confused. Did McClain just pull off one of the biggest shockers in the modern internet recruiting era? But it didn’t take McClain long to double down on the news as he quickly redid the hat reveal to make sure everyone captured the moment.
“Two or three days ago –I knew it was going to be Miami,” McClain told 247Sports with a grin as he stepped off a stage inside the RP Funding Center. “Me and my mom sat down and had a long talk. I had to choose one, and Miami was the outcome.”
McClain instantly becomes the biggest recruiting win of the Mario Cristobal era in Coral Gables. Not only is McClain in line to become Miami’s sixth-highest ranked signee ever, he gives the Hurricanes some much-needed good news after a rocky few weeks on the field.
“Miami … it’s just a cool atmosphere,” McClain said. “I would say it feels like home. Obviously, Miami is a great school and I can say that they got a dog coming.”
“I just wanted to get this over with,” McClain added when pressed further about the decision. “It ain’t no surprise. I just wanted to get it over with. Straight business. I found the school that I want to go to for the next three to four years.”
McClain claims he called Cristobal earlier in the week to inform him of his intentions. He didn’t give the Gators the same courtesy.
“It’s all love,” McClain said.
Demarcus Van Dyke is the person that gets credit for the commitment.
“He’s a young coach that knows what’s going on and that’s a great thing for me,” McClain said of Van Dyke “He produces a lot of great athletes and I think that I can be one of them.”
McClain already took an official visit to Miami back in June. When asked if he’s done taking visits to other schools he simply replied “yes sir.”
When it comes to scouting McClain, he’s viewed by most evaluators as a generational talent given his measurables (pushing 6-foot-2), testing numbers (4.5 in the 40-yard dash to go along with a 4.3 in the short shuttle and a 128-inch broad jump) and high-end ball skills.
After McClain started his prep career off playing primarily wide receiver, he was thrust into action his tenth grade year at cornerback due to injuries. Despite having limited experience on the defensive side of the ball, McClain thrived out on the perimeter picking off nine passes in nine games. He followed that up with a junior campaign in which he came down with 10 more interceptions.
McClain will likely need some seasoning before he’s ready to shutdown one side of the field in the ACC as he’s still pretty raw from a technical standpoint, but he has the skill set to eventually emerge as an impact player for the Hurricanes –and that’s huge as Cristobal & Co. as they look to retool a Miami locker room that has grown accustomed to unexplainable losses in recent years.
“Coach Cristobal tells me all the time to come in and help build something that has never been built before. I think Miami isn’t at the level that it’s supposed to be at, but I think the class of 2023 can bring them back, “McClain said.
Miami now holds the nation’s No. 8-ranked recruiting class.
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