From Sioux Falls, South Dakota, McCormick attended Roosevelt High School where he played football and was on the track and field team, being first-team all-state as a senior.

[7] In the spring 2021 season, postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McCormick started all 10 games while helping South Dakota State reach the national championship, being chosen all-conference and an All-America selection.

[3][7][8] He then became a team captain and started all 15 games at left guard in the fall 2021 season, being named receiving his second second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) honor while also being an All-American.

[1][2][9] In the 2022 season, McCormick started all 15 games and was a first-team All-MVFC selection and consensus All-American, helping South Dakota State win their first national championship.

[10] He was named six times the offensive lineman of the week and received the Adam Timmerman Award as co-offensive most valuable player at South Dakota State.