Florida's luck has wavered over the last couple of weeks. After rattling off four straight wins, they fell to Missouri last week, before once again stumbling this week in a 38-19 loss to South Carolina.
The loss to the Gamecocks brought increased scrutiny upon Cormani McClain's ongoing difficulties, and also brought Deion Sanders' previous remarks about the former Colorado cornerback back into the conversation.
The Gators entered Saturday's game as double-digit favorites but ultimately failed to meet expectations. The loss marked Florida's first loss to South Carolina since 2021 and the second-largest margin of defeat in the 45-game history of the series, which dates back to 1911.
South Carolina recorded 393 total yards without committing a single turnover, putting heavy pressure on Florida's defense throughout the game. Meanwhile, Cormani McClain recorded six total tackles, including five solo stops.
McClain's individual statistics do not necessarily indicate that he was responsible for Florida's defensive struggles, but the team's disappointing performance has reignited discussions about his development. The criticism intensified after a clip of McClain looking lost on a crucial play did the rounds after the loss.
The conversation has become relevant all over again given his controversial departure from Sanders' Colorado program.
"I was told Deion was to blame for Cormani," one fan remarked after the Gators corner struggled against South Carolina.
"Y'all said it was Deion's fault!!" a Miami fan wrote .
"I talk A LOT of (expletive) about Coach Prime. But idk why anybody in their right mind wouldn't listen to the greatest cornerback ever's opinion on a cornerback he coached," one added.
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McClain was one of the most highly rated defensive prospects in the 2023 recruiting class and initially committed to Miami before flipping to Colorado. However, McClain's time in Boulder did not unfold as expected, and he eventually hit the transfer portal in 2024.
In the aftermath, McClain addressed his plans in a YouTube video, which seemed like a dig at Colorado. He expressed his determination to rediscover his previous form, change the negative perceptions surrounding his name, and join a strong program that would allow him to reach his full potential.
Following McClain's decision to leave the program, Sanders publicly questioned whether the former five-star prospect had fully embraced the preparation and accountability required to succeed. He expressed hope that McClain would find a program capable of challenging him and helping him develop, while acknowledging his considerable talent.
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Florida's latest defeat has given critics another opportunity to revisit the disagreement and continue slamming McClain.
"Deion Sanders didn't tell one lie about this guy," one fan remarked. "Deion was right on Cormani," another tweeted.
"I see why Deion didn't play Cormani," a third added . McClain's 70.7 PFN CB Impact Score ranks #408 in the nation.
The renewed criticism comes at a difficult time for Florida, whose chances of reaching the 2026 College Football Playoff have fallen to just 6.9%, according to PFN's Playoff Meter .
McClain and the Gators will face a big test when they take on Texas next Saturday after the Longhorns fell to Oklahoma on the back of some costly mistakes from Arch Manning.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
