CU Buffs notes: Freshman Cormani McClain developing early in camp

PUBLISHED August 11, 2023 at 8:27 p.m. | UPDATED: August 11, 2023 at 8:45 p.m.
Cormani McClain came to Colorado this summer with a lot of hype as a five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 1 cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class.
In the midst of his first preseason camp at the college level, McClain has shown that he certainly has five-star talent. But, it will take some time to be game ready.
“He’s coming slowly but surely,” head coach Deion Sanders said Friday. “Slowly but surely. He’s just got to make that adjustment from (high school to college) emotionally, mentally and psychologically and he’s going to be OK. But, he’s getting in shape. That’s No. 1. He’s got to understand the different levels of his game and you’ve got to have the light switch on at all times, especially playing against the receivers we have.”
McClain, from Lakeland, Fla., has been playing with the second and third-team defenses through the first week in camp, which has often meant he’s covering the first-team receivers. And, it’s an elite group of receivers, which has helped him get tested on a daily basis.
“He’s definitely mentally strong,” quarterback Shedeur Sanders said. “You come here every day going against the guys we’ve got, you’ve got to be mentally strong each and every day because in practice, you’re either going to gain confidence or you’re going to lose it.
“On offense, we like gaining confidence a lot. Cormani, he’s a freshman, so it’s going to be ups and downs throughout his journey right now, but being able to go against the players that he has in practice is real fun and it’s a real advantage to him.”
One of those elite receivers McClain has faced every day is Xavier Weaver, a fifth-year senior transfer from South Florida. Weaver was the top receiver at USF last year and has had an exceptional camp to this point. He’s also been impressed with McClain’s growth.
“I go against him every day and he’s getting better,” Weaver said. “The altitude messed all us Florida boys up (at first), but for sure he’s got potential.”
Special teams
Since the spring, the Buffs have had a good competition at kicker with Jace Feely, Alejandro Mata and walk-on Cristiano Palazzo. That battle has continued into fall camp.
The Buffs also brought in one of the nation’s better punters, Mark Vassett from Louisville. And, they’ve got four players competing for jobs at snapper.
Together, it’s a specialist group that impresses coach Sanders.
“Every darn specialist, they’re doing a phenomenal job,” Sanders said. “The kickers, punters, unbelievable. I think we have some of the best in the nation.”