Florida Gators transfer target doesn't want to 'play for clicks' like Deion Sanders, Colorado

The drama around Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes is never-ending. With the spring transfer portal closed for new entrants, we're still seeing the fallout from Colorado's divisive approach to team-building. The latest ex-Buffalo to speak out on Sanders is 5-star cornerback Cormani McClain.

McClain was considered a surefire addition to the Buffaloes' thin roster, but he barely played in 2023. He's now in the transfer portal, and the Florida Gators are considered the favorite to land him, per Nick Kosko of On3. But what McClain said about Sanders and Colorado continues to paint a bad picture.

Cormani McClain Eyes Florida in Transfer Portal

McClain is slated to visit Florida soon, and the pairing makes a lot of sense. The 6-foot-1 defender was ranked as the top corner last year and received interest from every school imaginable. His parents went to Florida State, and he's from Lakeland, Florida.

With comparisons to former Clemson star corner and second-round NFL draft pick Trayvon Mullen, McClain can become the latest riser for the Gators' secondary. Few programs have had as much success as Florida at producing NFL talent at the position, although few playmakers have stuck at the next level.

McClain on Deion Sanders: Colorado is 'Playing for Clicks'

Both Sanders and McClain had interesting things to say about each other. On YouTube, McClain said his reputation hit when Sanders called him out for lacking a proper work ethic and not wanting to be a part of a program that "plays for clicks." 

He quickly moved on from that statement to say there weren't hard feelings with Sanders and added, “I’m ready to bring the old version of me out and change the narrative of everyone’s thinking on my name. Be part of a real and a great program that’s going to impact me and my best ability, and ready to get to a new place and get to work.”

Sanders said, “I’m always in prayer for young men, and I want the best for them. And 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. Unfortunately, we weren’t the program that could accomplish that.

“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.”

It was a classy response from Sanders, and McClain was justifiably frustrated, even if he didn't adjust to college football as quickly as many had hoped. But Florida could make Coach Prime look foolish if McClain catches on and earns playing time right away.