Colorado's Cormani McClain won't replace Travis Hunter vs. Oregon

Former five-star recruit remains on the sidelines
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Many people have speculated who will replace Travis Hunter's production while he's out for the next few weeks. One of the names that has been circulating is Cormain McClain, but Colorado coach Deion Sanders says he's not ready.

"The plan at corner is corner-by-committee," Sanders said about the upcoming matchup with Oregon. That's why we practice. We want to see who steps up and takes over that role. 

When pressed further about why the former top recruit hasn't been inserted in the rotation, Coach Prime explained it's on McClain to step up and prove he's worthy of the position at this point. 

McClain came to Colorado as a true generational talent wanting to follow in Sanders' footsteps, seeing him as a mentor. The former Miami commit is known for being a shutdown defender who accounted for 58 tackles (3 for loss), 15 interceptions, 17 PDUs and three forced fumbles over the last two years at Lakeland HS in Florida. 

Sanders will be without Hunter for at least three weeks due to a lacerated liver. It leaves a handful of talented corners in the mix for the Buffs going into Pac-12 play. Carter Stoutmire and Kyndrich Breedlove are two of the obvious options having been in the rotation.  

No. 19 Colorado looks to start conference play with an upset of 10th-ranked Oregon on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.


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Josh Tolle
JOSH TOLLE

Josh Tolle is a writer covering college sports for On SI. Outside of storytelling, the multi-talented broadcaster has play-by-play experience at the professional and collegiate levels. In 2018, he began calling games for the National Women’s Soccer League. He has also called games for the United Soccer League, Concacaf, and the U.S. Open Cup. He has called hockey for the Premier Hockey Federation for the past three seasons and was the play-by-play voice for the Superior RoughRiders of the Western Hockey League. He has provided play-by-play for various other sports including football, basketball, baseball and volleyball events. Since 2015, Tolle has been the voice of Colorado School of Mines Athletics having called football, men's and women's basketball and soccer. He previously wrote for SB Nation.