Going where he's wanted
Justin Rowland
TarHeelIllustrated.com Recruiting Analyst
Talk about it in Four Corners
Korey Banks committed to North Carolina on Monday night giving the Tar Heels a pre-camp commitment that continues the program's momentum.
Banks was recruited to play receiver for UNC.
Banks is just the latest Georgia conquest for Larry Fedora's coaching staff, only this time the credit goes to offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, someone that's a bit of an elder statesman on the staff. Kapilovic was a major factor in Banks' decision and when THI asked him to explain his choice, it was "Coach Kap" that Banks first pointed to.
"First off, I've got to give a shout out to Coach 'Kap," Banks said. "He's the recruiting coordinator for my area and a very nice guy. He hits me up every day and he's been recruiting me since I was a tenth grader. North Carolina's been the school that's recruiting me for the longest. It came down to them wanting me the most.
"(Kapilovic) said something that stuck out to me. He said, 'You have a scholarship here even if you get hurt this year.' That really played a big part in it. I'm thankful for the opportunity," Banks said.
Banks' Twitter message on Monday evening was how his commitment broke.
It's not just that Kapilovic got involved with Banks early. He pushed every button just how he should have and made him feel wanted, consistently.
"I love Coach 'Kap," Banks said. "He's a very laid back guy. I feel like he's being honest. Every recruit or kid at the school that I asked about ('Kap), they all feel like he's very honest. And not even just Coach 'Kap. Coach (Gunter) Brewer, who's going to be my receivers' coach. He's coached some freaks. Guys like Randy Moss, Dez Bryant and some others. I'm pretty sure he's going to bring out the best of my abilities.
"But it just came down to who wants me the most," he said.
Early in the process Banks was listed as a receiver. He's now a three-star 'athlete' on Rivals.com. At most recruiting events - camps and combines - he's been participating as a defensive back. But Banks said most college coaches have been more impressed with his tape at receiver.
UNC is still recruiting Banks' teammate Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek - defensive back Javon Jackson. His primary recruiter is Kapilovic, too.
Banks visited Chapel Hill twice over the course of his recruitment. He attended a game last year and he visited again this summer.
"They were excited," Banks said of the coaches when they learned of his decision. "They were really excited. When it came down to it they were recruiting me since the 10th grade."
He said Georgia Tech and Wake Forest were the two other main schools he was considering prior to his decision. There were others, like Wisconsin and Arizona, but the Yellow Jackets and Deacs were UNC's main competition.
"I talked to Coach 'Kap about it and he's cool with me visiting other places. That's because I'm 100-percent a Tar Heel," he said. "He's comfortable with me taking visits because of that. When I spent the night there, I just saw it was lovely. I can't even explain it.
"I talked to just about all of the players. Mostly everybody on the team. J.K. Britt, me and him are really close because he's five minutes away from my house. I've been knowing him for a long time. He's the one who told me Coach 'Kap was recruiting me and looking at me. I was probably in the ninth grade going into the tenth grade."
Banks said UNC's coaches have said they are taking two receivers in this class. Most schools have some wiggle room to take "best available" players so it's still likely other receivers will continue to hear from the Tar Heels.
Justin Rowland
TarHeelIllustrated.com Recruiting Analyst
Talk about it in Four Corners
Korey Banks committed to North Carolina on Monday night giving the Tar Heels a pre-camp commitment that continues the program's momentum.
Banks was recruited to play receiver for UNC.
Banks is just the latest Georgia conquest for Larry Fedora's coaching staff, only this time the credit goes to offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, someone that's a bit of an elder statesman on the staff. Kapilovic was a major factor in Banks' decision and when THI asked him to explain his choice, it was "Coach Kap" that Banks first pointed to.
"First off, I've got to give a shout out to Coach 'Kap," Banks said. "He's the recruiting coordinator for my area and a very nice guy. He hits me up every day and he's been recruiting me since I was a tenth grader. North Carolina's been the school that's recruiting me for the longest. It came down to them wanting me the most.
"(Kapilovic) said something that stuck out to me. He said, 'You have a scholarship here even if you get hurt this year.' That really played a big part in it. I'm thankful for the opportunity," Banks said.
Banks' Twitter message on Monday evening was how his commitment broke.
It's not just that Kapilovic got involved with Banks early. He pushed every button just how he should have and made him feel wanted, consistently.
"I love Coach 'Kap," Banks said. "He's a very laid back guy. I feel like he's being honest. Every recruit or kid at the school that I asked about ('Kap), they all feel like he's very honest. And not even just Coach 'Kap. Coach (Gunter) Brewer, who's going to be my receivers' coach. He's coached some freaks. Guys like Randy Moss, Dez Bryant and some others. I'm pretty sure he's going to bring out the best of my abilities.
"But it just came down to who wants me the most," he said.
Early in the process Banks was listed as a receiver. He's now a three-star 'athlete' on Rivals.com. At most recruiting events - camps and combines - he's been participating as a defensive back. But Banks said most college coaches have been more impressed with his tape at receiver.
UNC is still recruiting Banks' teammate Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek - defensive back Javon Jackson. His primary recruiter is Kapilovic, too.
Banks visited Chapel Hill twice over the course of his recruitment. He attended a game last year and he visited again this summer.
"They were excited," Banks said of the coaches when they learned of his decision. "They were really excited. When it came down to it they were recruiting me since the 10th grade."
He said Georgia Tech and Wake Forest were the two other main schools he was considering prior to his decision. There were others, like Wisconsin and Arizona, but the Yellow Jackets and Deacs were UNC's main competition.
"I talked to Coach 'Kap about it and he's cool with me visiting other places. That's because I'm 100-percent a Tar Heel," he said. "He's comfortable with me taking visits because of that. When I spent the night there, I just saw it was lovely. I can't even explain it.
"I talked to just about all of the players. Mostly everybody on the team. J.K. Britt, me and him are really close because he's five minutes away from my house. I've been knowing him for a long time. He's the one who told me Coach 'Kap was recruiting me and looking at me. I was probably in the ninth grade going into the tenth grade."
Banks said UNC's coaches have said they are taking two receivers in this class. Most schools have some wiggle room to take "best available" players so it's still likely other receivers will continue to hear from the Tar Heels.
