Deion Sanders says that Cormani McClain’s path to playing time is in his own hands. The first-year head coach of Colorado offered a blunt message to his defensive back during his most recent press conference.
McClain, a five-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2023, was the top-ranked cornerback in the country and a top-15 player overall. He was all-but committed to Miami when Coach Prime and his staff flipped him at the buzzer.
And yet, despite his talent, McClain has hardly seen the field. The true freshman has recored two total tackles this season, both of which against Oregon.
Saturday’s blowout loss to the Ducks presented Sanders with an opportunity to get his inexperienced players and backups some extra snaps. Colorado was down 42-0 entering the fourth quarter and started to pull some of its starters.
Its secondary was already depleted coming into the game, which only increased the opportunity for McClain. McClain eventually got in the game, but he only saw a handful of downs.
Why?
That was the exact question posed to Sanders on Tuesday. Coach Prime responded back in the only way he knows how — direct and honest.
Deion Sanders made his message clear.
What does Cormani McClain need to do to see an increase in playing time?
Study and prepare. Be on time for meetings, show up to the darn meetings.
Understand the scheme. Understand what we are doing as a scheme.
Want to play this game, desire to play this game, desire to be the best in this game, at practice, in the film room and on your own free time.
You do know I check film time from each player upon the week so I can see who’s preparing, that’s not just about Cormani. So if I don’t see that you would be a fool to put somebody out there who’s not prepared. Can’t do it, won’t do it.
— Deion Sanders
Clearly, McClain is not prepared. Sanders would be a fool to put him out there.
Juwan Mitchell offered a kinder, gentler response to a similar question about McClain.
Sanders is not one to mince his words. McClain has not done enough to get on the field, so the fact that he is a five-star recruit doesn’t matter. If he puts in the work, he will see an increase in playing time.