Elite cornerback Cormani McClain is in the sights of the USC Trojans.
After one season with the Colorado Buffaloes, a rift developed between McClain and Deion Sanders (Coach Prime), the Buffaloes Hall of Fame head coach. Now, McClain has entered the transfer portal.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Trojans are “all in” on McClain, and his chances of landing at USC are “great.”
Cormani McClain Is an Elite Cornerback
20-year-old Cormani McClain is from Lakeland, Florida. He was a five-star recruit in the 2023 class and rated as the best cornerback in the nation. He has been touted “as a generational talent with an NFL-ready drive.”
Unsurprisingly, college football powerhouses heavily recruited McClain:
“The defensive back originally committed to Miami but decided to flip on the Canes shortly after Prime’s arrival in Boulder. It was reported that the entire Miami coaching staff went to McClain’s high school on Early Signing Day in an effort to divert him away from Colorado. Alabama and Florida saw cracks in Miami’s recruitment and tried to swoop in late. It was ultimately the relationship with Prime and the McClain family that brought him to Boulder.”
McClain’s Freshman Season at Colorado
Things did not go as well as planned in McClain’s freshman year at Colorado.
Denver Sports reports:
“He struggled to see the field in his freshman season, relegated mostly to a special teams role. Still, Colorado’s secondary struggled[,] and Prime eventually pushed McClain onto the field[,] where he played nine games and started four. He recorded 13 total tackles including six unassisted, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. Sanders was outspoken about McClain and how he needed to be a better student. The coach publicly called out the freshman as underprepared.
Specifically, when members of the media asked Coach Prime what was preventing McClain from getting playing time early on in the 2023 season, the coach replied, “He is.” The coach questioned McClain’s desire and work ethic.
McClain’s relationship with Coach Prime deteriorated. After having “enough of Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes[,]” McClain hit the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Colorado CB Cormani McClain plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
The 6’3 173 CB from Lakeland, FL was ranked as the No. 1 CB in the ‘23 Class (per On3) 👀
Will have 4 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/xSqXS0NCGh pic.twitter.com/Saq4s7IByA
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 16, 2024
USC’s Chances of Landing McClain Are High
According to Tom Loy of 247Sports, USC and South Florida are two teams to watch as potential destinations for McClain.
USF and USC are two teams to watch for Cormani McClain in the transfer portal, per @TomLoy247.
More reporting on the former 5-star recruit and No. 1 CB's outlook after a year at Colorado:https://t.co/3HA7YtRhaj @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/uWgduhYYvN
— 247Sports (@247Sports) April 17, 2024
Loy reports:
“For the Trojans, I’m told that their plan is to make a run at McClain. He is looked at as an immediate-impact talent and player who can help right away…. [I]f the Trojans are all-in to land the coveted transfer, USC should be looked at as a major threat in this one.”
The Trojans Need Help on Defense
D’Anton Lynn, pictured above during his playing days, has taken the helm as USC’s defensive coordinator and looks to turn things around for a defense that has underperformed the last couple of years.
Southern Cal’s defense was awful in 2023. All parts of the defense struggled, especially the secondary. USC allowed a 64% opponent completion rate (104th in the NCAA), 7.7 yards per completed pass (87th), and 246.4 passing yards per game (93rd).
McClain is the type of talented defensive back who could assist the Trojans’ efforts to reinvigorate the defensive secondary that was previously graced by Ronnie Lott and Troy Polamalu.
For more sports-related news, focused primarily on the USC Trojans, SMU Mustangs, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Rams, please follow me at @vshjah_Victor.
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