Cormani McClain Highlights an Exciting Couple Weeks for Recruiting

By KYLE CURTIS

GATORBAITMEDIA.COM

The Florida Gators and Billy Napier have quietly assembled one of the top classes for 2023 in the whole country. Currently, Florida is sitting at ninth overall recruiting, despite the loss of Creed Whittemore after his recent decommitment. Nonetheless, the Gators are still in a prime position to finish this class strong and have a promising future. Here are a few names to look out for in the coming weeks and months who have Florida as one of their top destinations.

PHOTO BY CHRIS SPEARS GATORBAITMEDIA.COM

Cormani McClain- 5-star Cornerback

Cormani McClain has the potential to be the highest-rated recruit since Florida landed Martez Ivey. Ivey was an offensive tackle in the class of 2015 and was the second overall recruit and top-rated offensive tackle in his class.

McClain happens to also be the second overall recruit and top-rated cornerback.

He has narrowed his options down to Alabama, Florida, and Miami, although according to ON3 prediction there is a 94 percent chance he ends up in Gainesville. His mother, Kaishay McClain, announced that her son would decide on where he will play football is going to be made Oct. 27.

McClain is from Lakeland, a city that has produced a lot of top Florida Gator defensive backs in the past. Most notably, Ahmad Black, who is now, coincidentally, the defensive back coach for McClain at Lakeland High School.

After a long and intense recruitment journey, the stage will be set on the national level for McClain to make his decision on Oct. 27.

“Florida is in a good spot for Cormani,” Director of Recruiting for ON3 Chad Simmons said. “Florida is a school close to home, his high school has sent numerous players to Florida, and he is very comfortable in Gainesville.”

DJ Lagway- 5-Star Quarterback

The highest-rated uncommitted quarterback in his class, DJ Lagway has become a major target for Billy Napier and his staff in this cycle.

Currently, at Willis High School in Willis, Texas, Lagway has lit up every opponent he has played in his senior campaign. Lagway was in attendance in Gainesville for Florida’s SEC opener vs. Kentucky and made a return for the LSU matchup.

“It was an amazing time,” Lagway told ON3 following the LSU game. “Florida this weekend was great.” The common theme amongst all recruits who have visited this season has been the level of hospitality and commitment to the relationship within the coaching staff has been second to none. The coaches also made it clear that Lagway is a main target for the Gators and can be the key to success in The Swamp in the future.

“They are letting me know I’m their top guy for the class of 2024,” Lagway said. “They want me to lead the class.”

While Lagway’s commitment date has not been set, Florida remains in the mix at the top of his recruitment. Alabama, Baylor and Clemson amongst others are also in the mix for the coveted dual-threat quarterback.

Names to Look After

With National Signing Day still months away (Feb. 1) a lot can happen that will affect the fate of this recruiting class. Although, if Florida can pick up one or two more blue-collar players we could witness a snowball effect of recruits.

Four-star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald is a name to monitor. His finalists are Florida, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Michigan, although he has made it clear that all teams are still in the race. This would be a massive pickup for a Gator’s front seven who had question marks surrounding their depth going into the season and has been a weak point thus far.

McDonald has visited Gainesville four times since this past summer, the most recent being Homecoming when Florida defeated Missouri.

With a lot of noise and speculation going around the recruiting world in Gainesville, there is no doubt that Gator fans should have their calendars circled for Oct. 27 when McClain makes his final decision.