Colorado head coach Deion Sanders Nov 17, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks off the field after a game against the Washington State Cougars at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Buffaloes have had several key players transfer out of the program this offseason. And perhaps the biggest name to transfer out opened up about his decision to leave, ripping Deion Sanders’ program in the process.

Cormani McClain, the top-ranked cornerback in the 2023 high-school recruiting class, decided earlier this week to enter the portal after an up-and-down freshman season in Boulder.

McClain took to YouTube to post a video explaining his departure, saying that he wants to play for a program that “doesn’t wanna play for clicks” and “that’s gonna actually develop players”.

“I feel like I just don’t want to play for clicks, I actually want to be involved with a great, leading program that’s going to develop players,” McClain said in the YouTube video.

Interestingly, Sanders admitted that Colorado seemingly wasn’t the program for McClain while recently discussing his decision to enter the portal.

“I’m always in prayer for our young men and I want the best for them,” Sanders said on Wednesday, via DNVR Buffs on Twitter/X. “I pray to God that he goes to a program that challenges him, as well as holds him accountable and develops him as a young man. Unfortunately, we weren’t the program that could accomplish that. So, prayerfully, he understands that this is his second go-round and gets it. Go get it, man. He has a tremendous amount of talent, but he has to want it.”

So there you have it. McClain seemingly believes that Sanders isn’t great at developing talent. And Sanders seemingly feels like McClain didn’t want it enough during his time at Colorado.

We may never know how McClain’s tenure in Colorado truly played out behind the scenes. But hopefully, a change of scenery helps McClain reach his potential elsewhere.

[Cormani McClain on YouTube, DNVR Buffs on Twitter/X]

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.