Legends Camp Looms Large For Miami With Five-Star Cornerback


There are many sought-after positions on the field, but on the defensive side of the ball, none may be more important than a lockdown cornerback.  For the 2023 class, the highest-rated defensive back hails from the state of Florida.  

Cormani McClain, now at Lakeland (FL) has the size (6-2, 170), speed, and agility to live up to his five-star rating.  The senior, originally from Pompano Beach, FL, helped South Florida Express win the OT7, Overtime seven-on-seven tournament in Las Vegas.  There, McClain confirmed that the Miami Hurricanes are still in contention for his signing.  McClain is the best prospect from Florida for the 2023 class.  

“Miami is still on the radar.  The process is still going well.  We have a good relationship with all the coaches.”

McClain’s visit this weekend to Coral Gables will mark his first official visit to any school.  McClain will be on campus for Miami’s Legends Camp, formerly known as Paradise Camp.  As in previous years, the camp will feature alums that will help train prospects from around the country.  The Miami coaching staff will also be on hand to work out the young athletes. 

“The Miami coaching staff is a great staff, said McClain.  They develop a lot of players in the league right now.  I feel like they can develop me in the best way, but I have to show love to other coaches.  [Miami] is going to show love, keep it a hundred, and get you right.”  

Defensive backs coach Jahmile Addai started recruiting McClain during his time at Georgia and the combination of Addain and DeMarcus Van Dyke is a tandem that appeals to McClain.

“[Coach Addai] and Coach Van Dyke together, that’s a great team right there.”  

Also, a critical factor for McClain is the success of his future school in this 2022 season.  

“That would matter a lot because I don’t want to come on a losing team.” 

McClain transferred from Lake Gibson to Lakeland this off-season to be associated with a program with a winning tradition.  Lakeland has seven state titles, the sixth-most in the state. The Dreadnaughts also have an unintentional tradition of its players going to the University of Florida.  McClain expressed that transfer to Lakeland certainly is not an indication that he will be a Gator. 

“Florida is most definitely still in the picture but I don’t know why everybody thinks I’m going to Florida since I’m at Lakeland.”

McClain says he is not looking to make a decision on his college destination until after his senior season.  McClain’s top schools are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Miami. The Hurricanes currently do not have a defensive back committed to the 2023 class.

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

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