Josh Heupel's Tennessee lands commitment of 2025 class CB Onis Konanbanny

By Maliha

Modified Aug 24, 2024 10:45 GMT

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Four-star cornerback Onis Konanbanny committed to Tennessee's 2025 class on Friday. Born in France and having lived in London, the prospect eventually made his way to the United States, where his career shifted from soccer to football after he arrived in 2022.

Konanbanny transferred to Heathwood Hall Episcopal School ahead of his junior season and quickly made a name for himself on the field. Coach Josh Heupel's Tennessee was the first school to offer him and earned an official visit from him on June 21.

Konanbanny also officially visited Florida State, LSU and North Carolina in June. But recruiting experts, including Tom Loy, Ryan Callahan and Anna Adams, all predicted that the 6-foot-1, 180-pound prospect would ultimately land with the Vols, and their forecasts proved accurate.

“They really wanted me,” Konanbanny said (via On3). “They don’t just want me as a player. They like me as a person. Tennessee likes everything about me.”

Coach Heupel, secondary coach Willie Martinez and defensive coordinator Tim Banks all made him feel like a priority from the start.

"They liked my story, how mature I was and how fluid I was and my natural abilities to just cover and stuff — my press technique and staying patient at the line, and (that I can) play the ball and just be with the receiver and re-route the receiver," Konanbanny told Go Vols 247. "They like my feet. They like my (footwork) a lot. A lot of that came from my soccer background."

Onis Konanbanny joins a Tennessee recruiting class that has been on an impressive run. With five-star tackle David Sanders Jr. committing on Aug. 17, Konanbanny became the fifth commitment in August alone and the 16th since the start of June.

The Volunteers now have 24 commitments in the 2025 class, which is ranked No. 6 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC.

Onis Konanbanny's athletic profile

According to Andrew Ivins, 247Sports' Director of Scouting, Onis Konanbanny possesses explosive lower body strength that enhances his performance on the field. Ivins views him as a "green" international cornerback with immense potential and believes he has the upside to become a multi-year starter at the Power Four level.

Onis Konanbanny is ranked by Rivals as the No. 117 overall recruit in the country, the No. 11 cornerback in the 2025 class and the No. 2 recruit in South Carolina. On3 places him as the No. 65 cornerback in the class and the No. 10 recruit in South Carolina.

During his junior season in 2023, Konanbanny played both defensive back and wide receiver. He recorded 20 tackles and six pass breakups, while also contributing 238 yards and three touchdowns. His performance in 2022 earned him all-conference honors as a sophomore at Rabun-Gap Nacoochee.

Onis Konanbanny also excels in soccer, where he was named to the all-region team as a junior and earned second-team all-state honors. He competes in track and field as well.