The number one cornerback in the country Cormani McClain committed to the University of Miami last night. That wasn’t where the industry insiders thought as most were emphatic about McClain picking Florida. For months McClain was pegged to wear orange and blue rather than orange and green.

You aren’t necessarily supposed to grab the best cornerback in the country’s commitment off the backs of a current 3-4 season. But I think we know never to count out the Hurricanes when Mario Cristobal is at the helm. He is a hellacious recruiter and always has been. Maybe this isn’t as shocking as some are making it out to be.

The 2023 recruiting class jumped in front of the Gators and is flirting with a top 5 finish. A ton of credit needs to go to former defensive backs coach and current analyst DeMarcus Van Dyke. Van Dyke is being credited for the McClain commitment which is the first 5 orange prospect on the defensive side of the ball this 2023 cycle.

This is the second 5 orange prospect for Mario Cristobal and company joining the likes of offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. McClain has the size at 6’2, the speed with a 4.5 second 40-yard dash time and the mental makeup to matter. He is the personification of a true lockdown cornerback.

While tears of unexpected joy welled up in the Miami Hurricanes fandom, good old Gator tears were flowing. This isn’t the first time the Hurricanes have cut off Napier at the pass. Cristobal recently addressed the mainstream media and emphatically declared he didn’t need to sell dreams rather only his track record.

Despite whatever advantage the new NIL market gives the Hurricanes these days, you cannot discredit a certain factual tidbit. Coach Cristobal actually has a track record at the P5 level in both recruiting and on field success. Billy Napier does not. Rivals can blame NIL Life Wallet mainstay John Ruiz all they like but in terms of commodities, Cristobal is surely one.

The Miami Hurricanes added four orange CB’s Khamauri Rogers, Chris Graves and three orange prospect Jaden Harris in the 2022. The Canes cornerback room has transformed seemingly over night. It needed to. Coach Cristobal has focused his attention on the trail like superman’s equivalent of the fortress of solitude. Despite the losing record, recruiting will never be Cristóbal’s kryptonite.

Continue the discussion at Discord-U where the Recruiting Central channel has up to date recruiting information.