Prediction: Florida Gators to land Cormani McClain, nation's top uncommitted prospect

Florida is the overwhelming favorite to land a five-star prospect next week

Lakeland High School (Florida) five-star cornerback Cormani McClain is the nation's top uncommitted prospect and the No. 1 non-quarterback in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

Rated the nation's No. 2 overall prospect, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound defensive back is set to announce his college commitment October 27 and is down to a final three of Alabama, Florida and Miami.

So, where will he choose?

Prediction: Cormani McClain to Florida Gators

Let's be honest, this isn't exactly going out on a limb.

100 percent of 247Sports predictions are in favor of Florida and On3 puts those chances at 94.9 percent.

McClain has been a near-lock to Florida for some time, but those chances were bolstered even further when he canceled a scheduled visit to Alabama earlier this month.

Shortly thereafter, he set a commitment date.

Those two back-to-back recruiting moves led to a wave (tsunami?) of "McClain to Florida" buzz.

Things can change in a hurry in the NIL era of recruiting, but all signs point to McClain choosing Florida next week.

His commitment would give the Gators arguably the nation's best defensive back recruiting class, as he would join Under Armour All-American selection and former Ohio State pledge Dijon Johnson, four-star cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson, four-star safety Jordan Castell, four-star cornerback Sharif Denson and coveted threes-tar safety Bryce Thornton, who chose the Gators over Alabama. 

Here's what 247Sports had to say about McClain, in part, as a prospect: 

"A new-age cornerback prospect that has a chance to be a difference maker at football’s highest levels given his rare blend of size, length and speed. Started prep career off playing primarily wide receiver before being thrust into action on the defensive side of the ball. Excelled right away as a perimeter defender against top Sunshine State competition picking off nine passes as a sophomore and 10 more as a junior. Still very raw from a technical standpoint, but is athletic enough to carry and cover most vertical routes. Leggy transitions aren’t exactly ideal, but has a knack for putting himself in position to make a play at the catch point and can quickly close gaps with an elite burst. Has experience working in both man and off-coverage. Not one to shy away from contact and is a rather spirited as an open-field tackler, but must improve in the boxing ring if he’s going to settle in as a true bump-and-run corner on Saturdays. Tested off the charts as an underclassman posting a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash to go along with a 128-inch broad jump and a 4.3 in the short shuttle." 

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