The Florida Gators are making headlines once again in the college football recruiting circuit as they aim to secure a commitment from Onis Konanbanny, a talented four-star cornerback from Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, South Carolina.
Despite his long-standing commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers since August 2024, Konanbanny has reopened his recruitment following a persuasive late effort by the Florida Gators.
He plans to return to Florida next week to spend time with the team and experience daily life in Gainesville firsthand, assessing how well he integrates with the environment and the dynamics of the team.
Florida’s efforts to bolster their team are evident, with the Gators’ 2025 recruiting class already comprising 25 committed athletes.
Speaking with Swamp247 on Tuesday night, Konanbanny shared insights about his current standing and thoughts on the Florida football program, highlighting the intense recruitment efforts and his considerations as signing day approaches.
Gator’s last-minute effort shifts Konanbanny’s decision
After an official visit that coincided with Florida’s upset victory over Ole Miss, the Gators have intensified their recruitment of Konanbanny. The cornerback spoke with Swamp247 reflecting on the change.
“Man, I’ve been on Tennessee for months now,” Konanbanny said. “Then the last kind of minute, Florida came in there. So I had to take a step back, and you know, really think about my decision.”
DB coach Will Harris’s impact on Konanbanny
“It just felt good to keep on building my relationship with him (Will Harris),” Konanbanny said. “He was there for about an hour or a little bit longer than that, but just got to sit down with him and just talk. Really get a chance to sit and talk one-on-one, and just really speak about everything. Just getting to enjoy each other’s company.
“He just told me he’s going to make me the best corner I can be,” Konanbanny said of Harris’s message to him. “He said I really have the opportunity to get developed and play under him. He said he really wants to be my coach, and he thinks I am someone that can help them, and make an impact. He said the position room there is wide open, and I really have a good opportunity to come in and compete day one.”
Official visit leaves lasting impression
“I thought the way they were playing was phenomenal,” Konanbanny said about Florida’s win against Ole Miss. “They really played awesome. The team showed a lot of perseverance and kept going as the season went on. I feel like they started to play really dangerous because they didn’t give up. They didn’t give up because they love playing for coach (Billy) Napier, and that is who the guy they want to play for.
“They showed me they loved playing for him (Napier),” Konanbanny said. “And when you love playing for your coach, and really love him as a person, you want to give him your all. That is how you have a team come together, and that is what Florida did. They just kept fighting no matter what, and they never quit. I saw the defense on my official, and he kept putting the defense out there, and they were going against a great offense too, and they made plays. They came out on top. It really looked to me like the DB’s were getting developed, and coach Harris is doing a good job building it.”
Upcoming decisions: Florida, Tennessee, others in the mix
With National Signing Day approaching, Konanbanny plans another visit to Florida and remains in discussions with Florida State and South Carolina.
“I am planning on getting back on there next week,” Konanbanny said about his upcoming visit to Florida. “Just for a shadow day, and to hang out with the incoming guys. I want to get in there with the guys in the locker room and see what the day-to-day is like, so I can see how I like it. See how I fit Gainesville and how Gainesville fits me.”
He is also considering revisiting Tennessee.
Recruiting Summary
Konanbanny is labeled as a three-star cornerback by On3 and 247Sports, while ESPN and Rivals have him as a four-star.
According to 247Sports, Konanbanny is the No. 50 cornerback in the 2025 recruiting class and the No. 10-ranked recruit in the state of South Carolina.
Konanbanny committed to Tennessee on Aug. 23, but after a visit with Florida on Nov. 22, experts expect the Gators to be in the thick of the race for the cornerback.
The On3 recruiting prediction machine has the Gators favored to land Konanbanny (65.7%) followed by Tennessee (25.2%).
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