The Colorado Buffaloes continue to lose big in the transfer portal, but this could be their biggest blow yet.
Cornerback Komani McClain chose the Buffaloes after originally planning to attend the University of Miami, but will head to Gainesville to play for the Florida Gators.
McClain was ranked No. 4 in the nation by ESPN and was widely considered the top recruit in the class. He was the top cornerback in the class.
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University of Colorado Buffs No. 1 Komani prepares to play at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Oct. 7, 2023 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. McClain. (Bruce Yang/Getty Images)
When McClain decided to transfer to the Buffs in January 2023, he said, “I play a DB, and Coach Prime is the best DB. I want to experience the same shoes, the same predicament, the gold jacket, everything.” he told 247Sports. . Why not? “
Now, McClain will be returning to his home state.
McClain grew up in Lakeland, Florida, and attended Lakeland High School, about 190 miles south of the Swamp.
He started four games and played in nine games for Colorado last season. McClain becomes the fourth defensive back to head to Florida via the portal.
McClain entered the portal earlier this year and appeared to be bidding farewell to Colorado.
In a YouTube video he posted announcing his decision to join the portal, McClain said, “I feel like I don’t want to play just for the clicks. It’s actually a great initiative to develop players.” “I would like to be involved in a program that supports this.” The title is “Next Step”.
Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Komani McClain (1) walks through the tunnel to warm up before playing against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 23, 2023. (Andy Cross/Media News Group/Denver Post via Getty Images)
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“I want to be a part of a truly great program that will change the narrative around my name and make as much of an impact as I can,” McClain added.
“I always pray for young people and I want the best for them,” Deion Sanders said in an interview with DNVR. “I pray to God that he will be in a program that challenges him, holds him accountable and develops him as a young man.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t a program that could get that done, so hopefully he understands this is a second round and gets it — he has a tremendous amount of talent. So get it. But he has to want it. “
Sanders’ comments suggest McClain didn’t give his best effort last season, when he totaled just 13 tackles and two passes defended in nine games.
As for McClain’s comments about not wanting to play for Click, the Buffaloes certainly won college football after defeating then-No. 1-ranked TCU, a team that advanced to the national title game the year before, to take third place. It made headlines at the beginning of the season. Start a new campaign with 0.
But the headlines got even worse as Colorado, despite a strong start, struggled to 1-8 and finished last in the Pac-12.
College football: Colmani McClain (1), Colorado, watches the game against Arizona at Folsom Field. Boulder, Colorado 2023/11/11 (Jamie Schwabelow/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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The Buffaloes will join the Big 12 Conference as the Pac-12 disbands for the 2024-25 college season.
FOX News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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