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Rivals Florida, FSU send competing birthday videos to Cormani McClain

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by: Keegan Pope02/26/22bykeeganpope

At its core, recruiting is a game of one-upmanship. Whatever another school can do, the next can do better. And vice versa. It’s seen in facilities, game day atmospheres, and more recently, name, image and likeness. But when it comes to elite recruits, programs will do just about anything to show up another school on the trail.

This morning, Florida sent a video to Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Cormani McClain to wish him a happy birthday. It included video messages from a number of Gators staffers and coaches, including head coach Billy Napier. McClain is the biggest prospect on the board for the Gators in 2023, and they currently have the second-best chance to land him of any program, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Florida State had to get involved in the festivities, too

But not to be outdone, Florida State, the Gators’ arch rival, gathered its entire coaching staff in the team meeting room for a birthday video as well. It featured head coach Mike Norvell holding a cake, while the staff sang McClain a song with a similar energy our dads used to exhibit on our big day.

Fans from each program predictably trolled each other about their videos, making it known that their own school’s production was on point, but their rival’s was positively cringeworthy. Ah, the essence of football recruiting Twitter.

Unfortunately for the Seminoles, they appear to be on the outside looking in, according to the RPM. Alabama (47.1%), Florida (24.5%), Miami (16.1%) and Georgia (9.2%) all stand ahead of them as likely destinations for McClain. Anything can happen in recruiting though — as these videos prove — and FSU does have an advantage in that both of McClain’s parents are Seminoles themselves.

McClain most recently announced a list of eight schools at the top, which includes Alabama, BYU, Miami, Florida, Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon and Michigan. He plans to take visits this spring and summer and will likely take his commitment decision all the way until December.

Cormani McClain Scouting Summary

“Has the best combination of stature, athleticism and ball skills among cornerback prospects in the 2023 cycle. Measured over 6-foot-1 prior to his junior season and has posted some of the best testing numbers in a combine setting we’ve seen from prospects in his cycle. A twitchy, bouncy athlete with explosive movement patterns. Pairs that athleticism with high end skill on the field. Has proven to be a ballhawk defender with nine interceptions as a sophomore and five picks midway through his junior season.

Uses his quickness to stay in-phase with receivers off the line and long speed to turn and run downfield. Highly instinctual and plays fast. Breaks on the ball quickly. Comfortable playing off and press coverage. Doubles as a receiver, which aids in his ball skills and coordination. Would be a four-star type talent at receiver if he chose. Has a thinner frame at 165 pounds and will need to continue adding bulk. Older for the class.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Recruiting