Two former Colorado Buffaloes defensive backs, who were once viewed as key pieces of Deion Sanders’ secondary, are now flourishing away from Boulder. Their paths were different in circumstance but similar in resolve and have taken them into stable SEC environments. For Isreal Solomon at No. 6 Ole Miss and Cormani McClain at Florida, the struggles and noise of their freshman seasons now feel like a distant memory.
Solomon’s grind pays off in Oxford
Solomon’s journey has been anything but straightforward. The 6-foot, 180-pound Dallas, Texas native arrived at Colorado as a preferred walk-on, intent on learning from Sanders’ NFL-legend staff. His reputation as a physical, fearless defensive back stood out in the process. A former product at IMG Academy, Solomon finished his senior year with 45 tackles, four interceptions and six Player of the Week awards. He reached IMG after stops at Santa Margarita Catholic in Southern California, amid a major setback in 2021, when he tore his labrum in the opening game before staging a strong comeback.
Solomon flashed repeatedly in Boulder, earning praise behind the scenes for his competitiveness. He was reportedly one of the only young defensive backs to consistently challenge Travis Hunter in practice, even jamming the future No. 2 NFL Draft pick at the line. It's something few players ever managed to do. His near-interception in the 2024 Black and Gold Spring Game hinted at a larger role, but Solomon sought immediate playing time, which left him out. A brief transfer to Hawaii ended quickly once Ole Miss pursued him.
Now a key special teams starter and backup defensive back for Ole Miss, Solomon has carved out a rare place as one of the few walk-ons nationally earning regular snaps on a Playoff contender. He is also noted by team staff as the Rebels’ second-fastest player.
His father, Zurich Solomon, said the family sees the move to Oxford as game-changing towards his future.
“We were caught up in hype at Colorado but it never amounted to anything,” he said. “There was no next-level development. The experience with Lane Kiffin and his staff has shown my son what real development looks like.”
On the swirling rumors around Lane Kiffin’s candidacy elsewhere, Zurich remains unshaken.
“Who wouldn’t want him?” He said. “But concerned as a parent? No. The players trust the process. I certainly trust coach Kiffin. This smoke will blow over.”
McClain rebuilds in Gainesville
For McClain, the former top five-star cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class, his freshman year in Boulder offered flashes of potential. His breakout moment came against USC and soon-to-be top NFL Draft pick Caleb Williams. With Travis Hunter sidelined, McClain showed the instincts that made him a prized recruit.
However, criticism and adjustment pushed the Lakeland, Fla., native to seek a better opportunity. He returned home to Florida and was offered that chance to shine.
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Now a redshirt sophomore, McClain has delivered a productive season with 16 tackles, an interception and a 68.1 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, which is third-best among Gators with at least 200 coverage snaps. Florida’s pending coaching transition only adds to the importance of 2026 and a roster still rich with NFL potential.
A fresh start for both
Colorado fans may wonder what their secondary might look like had Solomon and McClain stayed. The Buffs secondary has only five interceptions, which is one-third of the 15 the unit had last season. Instead, both found new homes in the same confidence. With Ole Miss pushing toward a potential first-ever home Playoff game and Florida bracing for a new era, the two former Buffaloes stand as proof that a chaotic beginning doesn’t define the journey. Especially when talent doesn't lie.
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No. 6 Ole Miss now turns toward a high-stakes Egg Bowl matchup with Mississippi State on Black Friday. As for Florida, home matchups against No. 20 Tennessee and Florida State round out the season.
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