Spring in Gainesville isn’t just about warmer weather and fresh starts—it’s about setting the tone for the season ahead. With Florida Gators’ football program deep into its spring practice schedule, the Gators suited up in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for an intense scrimmage day on April 1st, and all eyes were on the competition brewing in the secondary. With the departure of key defensive backs, the cornerback battle is wide open, and one name keeps coming up—Cormani McClain. Once a highly-touted but turbulent Colorado recruit, McClain has added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason, thanks to strength and conditioning coach Tyler Miles’ rigorous program.
That new frame, paired with his natural speed, was on full display, and for Billy Napier’s team that needs a playmaker in the DB backfield, Cormani McClain is quickly turning into a must-watch player. GatorsOnline’s Corey Bender couldn’t ignore what he was hearing from inside camp. “I think one guy we can mention just because he was a hot name recruiting—former five-star CB Cormani McClain,” Bender said. The buzz isn’t just from coaches; players and other recruits have been paying attention, too.
“A lot of DBs have been on Florida’s campus over the last couple of weeks, a lot of top guys. And right now, obviously, people are doubting recruiting, but I think they’re also probably more dialed into practice observations—how’s the team looking? So I’ve been asking these kids who’s standing out, and Cormani is one of the main guys that’s always consistently mentioned.” McClain’s development is evident, and with an open spot in the secondary, he has every opportunity to step up as a key starter.
Bender didn’t just stop at the hype—he pointed to the tangible strides McClain has made since last season. “He’s put on a good amount of mass since the end of last year, really filled out,” he noted. The added muscle doesn’t seem to have slowed McClain down, as he reportedly clocked an eye-popping 23 mph on the field. If anything, it’s made him a more complete CB, allowing him to play more physically while maintaining the elite athleticism that made him a five-star prospect in the first place.
“I think cornerback, they lost a few guys; it’s obviously a group that’s banged up as well. So competition is wide open. But I think Cormani has a good chance to start this year.” The road to locking down a starting role isn’t easy, but right now, McClain is making it impossible to ignore him.
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures before the game at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun Ocala , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMattxPendleton/GainesvillexSunx USATSI_23014601
Of course, this kind of praise wasn’t always the narrative surrounding McClain at Florida. His arrival in Gainesville wasn’t met with the easiest transition, as reports surfaced that he and head coach Billy Napier weren’t exactly seeing eye to eye. McClain’s early struggles with punctuality, work ethic, and team meetings reportedly frustrated Napier. Well, for a coach who prides himself on discipline and accountability, that wasn’t going to fly. Though never officially confirmed, the whispers of tension were enough to cast a shadow over McClain’s early days as a Gator. Coming from Colorado, where his freshman season had its ups and downs, McClain had to earn Napier’s trust, and it was clear that nothing would be handed to him.
Despite those early hiccups, Cormani McClain showed flashes of his five-star potential when the lights were brightest. His standout performance against Kentucky on October 19—where he returned an interception for a touchdown—was a moment of validation. Napier, who had been measured in his praise up to that point, acknowledged McClain’s potential while cautioning against placing too much on his shoulders too soon.
“He has the ability to do some really good things in the passing game for us as well,” Napier said at the time. The message was clear: McClain’s talent was undeniable, but consistent effort and discipline would dictate how far he could go.
Now, as the 6’1” lockdown artist enters his second season with the Gators, McClain seems to be rewriting the narrative. The extra weight, the elite speed, and the rave reviews from inside the program point to a player who has turned the corner. And for Florida, that couldn’t come at a better time. With a loaded 2025 recruiting class adding another blue-chip defensive back, the competition in the secondary is only getting fiercer.
Billy Napier’s secondary just got real: Florida lands blue-chip recruit
Recruiting classes are usually set in stone after National Signing Day in February, but Florida just pulled off a big-time late addition. On March 31, standout defensive back J’Vari Flowers announced his commitment to the Gators, adding another elite playmaker to Billy Napier’s 2025 class.
Flowers, originally a class of 2026 prospect, reclassified to 2025 in January, making his recruitment a bit unconventional. But the Miami Northwestern product wasn’t lacking attention—he had 33 scholarship offers from programs across the country. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches and 165 pounds, he brings serious speed, instincts, and versatility to Florida’s secondary.
On the 247Sports Composite rankings, Flowers is a 4-star prospect, the No. 12 player in Florida, the No. 12 cornerback, and the No. 82 overall player in the 2025 class. In other words, he’s a legit stud. And now? Him and McClain in the same secondary? Napier is serious now.
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