The Tennessee Volunteers have added another key piece to their 2025 recruiting class, landing a commitment from three-star cornerback Onis Konanbanny, one of the Southeast’s top uncommitted prospects. Konanbanny announced his decision on Friday afternoon, choosing Tennessee over offers from programs like Colorado, Houston, Texas, and Miami.
WHY KONANBANNY CHOSE TENNESSEE
Konanbanny shared his thoughts on his decision to commit to Tennessee during an interview with 247Sports on Friday morning, just hours before his public announcement.
“It’s home,” Konanbanny said. “They’ve been with me since Day 1. I feel like I belong there. Tennessee was like my first love. Ever since my first visit, I’ve just been in love with that place. It started with Tennessee, and it was going to end with Tennessee. On my official visit, I told the coaching staff that’s when I knew I wanted to come.
“I love how the coaching staff has treated me. They have treated me like a son, like one of their own. They have genuine love for me as a person.”
Konanbanny plans to return to Knoxville for one of Tennessee’s games in September, excited to be part of what he sees as a growing movement. “We are building something special,” he said. “This is just the start of what’s to come.”
OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE MIX
In July, Konanbanny narrowed his choices to Tennessee and Florida State, but he also took official visits to Utah, North Carolina, and LSU in the spring and summer. Tennessee secured his final visit on June 21, which helped seal the deal. All 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions had pointed to Konanbanny landing in Knoxville.
Tennessee first offered Konanbanny in March 2023, before his rise as a national recruit.
RECRUITING RANKINGS AND IMPACT
Konanbanny is graded at 88 by 247Sports, ranking him as the No. 43 cornerback in the country. The 247Sports Composite places him as the No. 28 cornerback and No. 302 nationally. As a junior, he recorded 20 tackles and six pass breakups, while also contributing on offense with 238 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
With Konanbanny’s commitment, Tennessee now has six defensive backs in their 2025 class. The Vols’ class has jumped to No. 5 nationally, moving ahead of Auburn, with 24 commitments overall.
SCOUTING REPORT
According to 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins, Konanbanny is a “big-framed defensive back” with the potential to play both cornerback and safety. Born in Europe and originally a soccer player, Konanbanny transitioned to American football after moving to the United States in 2022.
Ivins notes that Konanbanny displays “explosive tendencies” and is comfortable in press-man coverage but still needs to refine his technique and improve as an open-field tackler. Despite being older for his class, Konanbanny is considered a promising prospect with multi-year Power Four starter potential.
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