For those skeptical of Bill Belichick foraying into CFB with the UNC Tar Heels, the rationale goes beyond just coaching. No one believes Belichick is going to be in over his head from a tactical standpoint. However, the head coaching capacity at a college program entails much more than that. Recruitment is a key responsibility at this level. Belichick is of the era when recruiting was about whether a coach praises your mom’s cooking when they visit your house. The advent of the transfer portal and NIL has made it a more onerous proposition. 

People are unsure if Bill Belichick, who didn’t have great success in the draft towards the end in New England, can recruit effectively. This notion is being supported by UNC’s latest pursuit verging on failure. For a defensive player, no less. The opportunity to learn from the greatest defensive mind in the history of the sport is, somehow, being outweighed right now.

The Florida Gators are out of the mud and breathing some fresh air. The Swamp saw a tectonic upturn transpire over it down the stretch this season. This upturn coincided with them laying a proverbial vote of confidence in HC Billy Napier. They finish the season 8-5, a respectable outcome within the treacherous southeastern faction. Now, the focus has swiftly pivoted to translating this momentum over to recruitment. They’ve set their sights on 4-star cornerback Onis Konanbanny, currently committed to the Tennessee Vols.

Onis Konanbanny may indeed be switching allegiances from Rocky Top to the Swamp. Recruitment expert Steve Wiltfong leveraged his insight on where the process stands via the On3 Recruits YouTube Channel. “I like the way it’s trending for Florida right now. They were the school that really heated up at the end,” he said. Konanbanny visited the Florida campus back in November.

Wiltfong suggests he may be on his way back soon. “I’m expecting him back in Gainesville for another visit, where he’ll shadow a player, get back around coach Napier, coach Will Harris and the staff. Several sources around the program feel terrific about the Gators position for Onis Konanbanny at this point.” 

The Gators currently have the no.11 ranked class heading into 2024, and they’re still yearning for more. Perhaps Billy Napier’s newfound mojo has permeated through to the recruitment front. Or maybe he’s flying too close to the sun. Flipping a player from under Josh Heupel is no easy feat. Let alone adding Bill Belichick to the mix. Landing Konanbanny will be a huge coup for a coach who was deemed disposable not too long ago. However, he’s got competition. Lots of it.

Bill Belichick and UNC lapped by a fellow ACC team in race for Onis Konanbanny

Defensive backs are in demand now more than ever before. As the game transforms into more pass-centric offenses and receivers get better, elite cornerbacks are a necessary evil. Travis Hunter’s rise is a prime proponent of what quality at the position can do for you. Onis Konanbanny is somebody who can touch those levels. The names courting him are evidence of this.

Steve Wiltfong’s succeeding comments imply that Bill Belichick isn’t even the runner-up in this race. He name-dropped a very familiar thorn in the Gators’ side. “Florida State is also trying to make a run at Konanbanny, trying and make things interesting down the stretch,” he said. That list of adversaries? Add Mike Norvell to it, too! Although he did reiterate his confidence in Napier’s outfit. “But right now, the intel favors the Gators to add him to their class.”

Bill Belichick will have to act swiftly if he wants to make inroads. UNC has been keeping tabs on Konanbanny from way before he even arrived. If he’s not able to tip the balances, the skeptics will indeed prevail. It remains to be seen if someone can make a late surge or if Billy Napier will continue rolling through.