Florida cornerback Cormani McClain is running it back in Gainesville.
The redshirt junior announced he’s returning to the Gators for the 2026 season, confirming the news with a social media post that included a nod to Florida Victorious, the university’s NIL collective. For a Florida secondary that’s seen its share of turnover, McClain’s return is a big piece of stability - and a signal that he’s ready to take the next step in his development.
McClain transferred to Florida from Colorado in 2024 and has since carved out a meaningful role in the Gators’ defense. Over two seasons in Gainesville, he’s appeared in 13 games with seven starts, tallying 23 tackles (1.5 for loss), two interceptions - including a pick-six - and four pass breakups. His 2025 campaign ended a game early due to a knee injury suffered against Tennessee, but not before he logged a career-high 460 defensive snaps.
The former five-star recruit was once the crown jewel of Colorado’s 2023 signing class, ranked as the No. 1 cornerback nationally by 247Sports. He played in nine games and started four as a true freshman with the Buffaloes, recording 17 tackles (one for loss) and two pass breakups. But after a rocky year in Boulder, McClain opted for a fresh start at Florida, arriving as a preferred walk-on and eventually earning a scholarship ahead of the 2025 season.
“It was tough,” McClain said in October, reflecting on his time at Colorado. “I would say trust the process and stay consistent.
That’s all really. I was a young player.
I really didn’t know enough knowledge and just needed someone to keep pushing me.”
That push came at Florida, where he was given a clean slate and a chance to grow. Former head coach Billy Napier spoke candidly about McClain’s development last January, highlighting both his progress and the areas where he still needed to improve.
“Critical semester for him, just in terms of now he gets to start over,” Napier said. “He understands expectations from not just me, but from his teammates.
I think obviously an eventful first couple of months here, but I’m proud of him, because I think he stayed the course. But he needs to get bigger, stronger.
He needs to improve as a tackler. He needs to improve his knowledge of the defense, in particular, all the zone-match concepts.”
McClain spent spring camp as Florida’s top corner opposite Devin Moore, with Dijon Johnson sidelined due to injury. But once Johnson returned during fall camp, he reclaimed the starting role, pushing McClain into a rotational spot.
Even so, McClain made the most of his opportunities. He played in 10 games, starting six, and logged 538 total snaps.
His stat line: 18 tackles (10 solo), one tackle for loss, one interception, and a pass breakup. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted a 67.0 overall defensive grade, with a 74.4 coverage grade and a strong 79.4 tackling grade.
Now, with Moore off to the NFL, McClain and Johnson return as Florida’s most seasoned corners - a welcome sight for new head coach Jon Sumrall and defensive backs coach Brandon Harris. With winter workouts approaching, the Gators’ secondary has a pair of experienced anchors to build around.
McClain’s journey hasn’t been linear, but it’s been one of growth. And with another year in orange and blue, he’s got a chance to solidify himself not just as a contributor, but as a cornerstone in Florida’s defense.