4-star CB Onis Konanbanny commits to Tennessee: ‘They really wanted me’

Columbia (S.C.) Heathwood Hall Episcopal School four-star cornerback Onis Konanbanny revealed a top two of Florida State and Tennessee on July 28. He took an official visit to each program and both schools gave him a lot to think about. 

Tennessee being the first school to offer Konanbanny meant a lot to the 6-foot-0.5, 175-pound defensive back. Multiple Volunteers coaches made the talented recruit feel like a top priority and he has decided to commit to the SEC program. 

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

Head coach Josh Heupel, defensive coordinator Tim Banks and secondary coach Willie Martinez were all involved in Konanbanny’s recruitment. The No. 4 player in South Carolina took his official visit to the Volunteers from June 21-23 and realized on that trip that he was “home” and did not “want to be anywhere else.” 

“It is about my relationships with the people there,” said Konanbanny, the No. 338 overall prospect and No. 33 cornerback in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “The environment is beautiful there and I like what they can do for me as a player. I feel like they can develop me.

“My overall feeling at Tennessee was different than it was other places. The people and the way they treated me were different.” 

Konanbanny feels good about Tennessee’s future under Heupel

Konanbanny is joining a Tennessee recruiting class that is on track to be one of the best groups in the country. Heupel is a key reason why the four-star is a Volunteer. 

“He understands players,” Konanbanny said. “He’s cool. He’s going to hold you to a high standard and he is going to make you work.” 

“He’s changing the program around,” he added. “He’s changing the offense and the defense and they’re getting better. 

Tennessee has previously hosted Konanbanny for a game at Neyland Stadium. He called the Volunteers’ conference clash against South Carolina “one of the best games I’ve ever been to.” 

Konanbanny will eventually play in Knoxville in front of Tennessee’s passionate fanbase. He is looking forward to when that day comes. 

“I like the way they spoke with my mom,” Konanbanny said. “It feels like home and it’s in the mountains. They care about me as a person.”