By Tony Thomas
Portalpalooza continued Day 3 as 463 FBS players hit the transfer portal since the window opened on Tuesday.
The top cornerback in the country for the 2023 class has decided to move on from Deion Sanders and find a better opportunity elsewhere, maybe in his native Sunshine State. In addition, we profile four other talented players who are looking for a new home.
CB Cormani McClain
Colorado Buffaloes
6’2”, 165 lbs.
In 2023, Cormani McClain made 13 tackles and broke up two passes for the Buffaloes. Coming out of high school in Florida, McClain was rated as the #1 CB in the country and 13th ranked player overall for the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
BREAKING; Colorado Buffaloes CB Cormani McClain will enter the transfer portal.
A former 5 ⭐️ high school recruit and No. 1 ranked cornerback in the class of 2023. Where will he land? 👀 pic.twitter.com/mNp8zy9vNQ
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) April 16, 2024
McClain chose the Buffaloes over such schools as Alabama, Miami, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State. During his junior year in 2021, McClain set a school record at Lake Gibson (FL.) by intercepting 10 passes, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors.
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Schools that could pursue McClain include USC, USF, Florida, and South Carolina. In addition, the Miami Hurricanes, who McClain was originally committed to, and Florida State Seminoles also make sense.
WR Samuel Brown IV
Houston Cougars
6’2”, 195 lbs.
An Honorable Mention All-Big XII selection last season, Samuel Brown caught 62 passes for 815 yards and three touchdowns. Brown posted three games of over 100 yards receiving, including 138 yards on nine catches in a 43-41 loss to Rice.
For his college career, Brown has 113 catches for 1,394 yards and seven touchdowns. It has been reported that Texas A&M is making a pitch for Brown’s services.
EDGE Dayon Hayes
Pitt Panthers
6’3”, 265 lbs.
Last season, Dayon Hayes recorded 45 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups, six quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble. In addition, Hayes posted five games of five or more tackles.
Against Boston College, Hayes racked up six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass breakups. Hayes has received a ton of interest from the Power 4 schools, including USC, Colorado, Penn State, UCF, Missouri, and Texas A&M. LSU also makes sense as Hayes would fill a position of need for the Tigers.
LB Elijah Herring
Tennessee Volunteers
6’2”, 227 LBS.
In 2023, Elijah Herring led the Volunteers in tackles with 80, and added four tackles for loss. In addition, Herring posted five games of seven or more tackles. Schools that are interested in Herring include Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Coastal Carolina, and Pitt.
https://twitter.com/RLUpchurch70/status/1781055261932757270
DL Simeon Barrow, Jr.
Michigan State Spartans
6’3”, 290 lbs.
An Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection last season, Simeon Barrow, Jr. recorded 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble.
👀👀 Simeon Barrow Jr very good at the point of attack. Quick get off & excellent hand usage. Can get skinny & north/south in a hurry. Good vs Run & Pass. Exactly what @CoachBlakeBaker needs in his ultra aggressive defense🔥 #LSU @BarrowSimeon pic.twitter.com/bRErCZgFhX
— Harold Reese Johnson (@GeauxLSUH) April 18, 2024
Barrow posted four games of five or more tackles, including a season-high six tackles vs Minnesota in a losing effort. Barrow is set to visit LSU, another canidate to improve the Tigers depleted defensive line.
