‘Generational recruit’ lived up to hype for Colorado in Week 5 vs USC
Cormani McClain, a “generational recruit” for Colorado football according to BuffsBeat’s Josh Tolle, lived up to the hype for a depleted Buffs secondary in a spirited near-comeback by Coach Prime’s guys against USC in a 48-41 loss on September 30.
“(McClain) was swarming around the ball and played inspired football,” Tolle prefaced before saying, “It was great to see the generational recruit live up to the hype for the Buffs. He was tested by USC’s Heisman winner Caleb Williams and stood up tall with a touchdown saving pass break-up. McClain nearly has his first career interception, if it wasn’t negated by a penalty.”
The performance clearly lived up to the hype — with Coach Prime telling reporters afterward that he was proud of McClain; this following a week of calling out the cornerback for what Deion Sanders saw as letting the team down in practice and behind the scenes.
“We want him to be that dude,” Sanders prefaced before saying, “We have an expectation of what they should be doing and accomplishing. I’m proud of him.”
🦬 @DeionSanders on the impacts they got from two true freshmen in WR Omarion Miller and CB Cormani McClain. Said it inspires recruits to wrap up their HS responsibilities so they can get here in the Spring to get a jump on next year. pic.twitter.com/e5HyZDmQc5
— Mat Smith (@RealMatSmith) September 30, 2023
Cormani McClain got a taste of the Coach Prime experience amidst uncertain Colorado football future
Coach Prime may have played some Jedi mind tricks to get McClain to show out against a USC offensive attack the Buffs defense was in over their heads against. Earlier in the week, Sanders was blunt in addressing McClain’s shortcomings and what he must do to overcome them.
“Study and prepare — be on time for meetings, show up to meetings, understand the scheme,” Sanders told reporters. “I check film time from each player so I can see who’s preparing, so if I don’t see that you would be a fool to put somebody out there who’s not prepared. That goes for all our players.”
"Study and prepare. Be on time for meetings, show up to the darn meetings… You do know that I check film time for each player?”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 27, 2023
Deion Sanders on what 5-star freshman CB Cormani McClain needs to do in order to get playing time 👀
(via @9NEWS)pic.twitter.com/ljmmQ8JvvO
Not long after rumors of a transfer portal jump for McClain, the Lakeland product was a star of the show during one of the most impressive losses Colorado football has had in years.
Consider him coached up by Sanders in a profound, uniquely “Prime Time” fashion.