Alabama and Georgia have grabbed whoever they want from the state of Florida for nearly the past decade. That’s why the Gators went out and nabbed Billy Napier — to try to slow down that trend.
During his first couple of months, he has mentioned the importance of locking down the Sunshine State. One prospect located in that area in Lakeland, Florida, is Lake Gibson five-star cornerback Cormani McClain. He will put Napier’s plan to the test since Florida will have to fend off the Bulldogs, Crimson Tide and other top programs around the country for the elite recruit.
McClain currently sits as the overall No. 4 ranked prospect and as the top player in the state regardless of position in 247Sports independent rankings. The defensive back has also picked off 19 passes in his last two seasons and will likely become a franchise corner in the NFL after getting some seasoning in college, hence why the battle for his pledge is so crucial to Florida.
Napier wants to lock down the state and has mentioned drawing a circle with a 4.5-hour radius around Gainesville that his staff will prioritize. Ideally, most of their recruiting classes should hail from that region that extends south just short of Miami and north just shy of Atlanta as well as reaching as far west as Pensacola.
Florida, Napier and cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond have done a nice job prioritizing McClain so far. He’s scheduled a multi-day visit to the Gators during the weekend of March 19. He also won’t be the only five-star cornerback in attendance because Tony Mitchell and AJ Harris will be there as well.
Napier also has an ace up his sleeve in this recruitment because Lake Gibson head coach Keith Barfield spent the 2020 season as an analyst with Lousiana-Lafayette, though Barfield told 247Sports that he just wants McClain to go wherever is best for him. However, it certainly doesn’t hurt the Gators that they have a prior relationship and that Barfield has a Napier bobblehead on his desk.
Regardless, Napier and Florida need to start signing talented players like McClain if they want to take back the Sunshine State and eventually compete for a national championship again.
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