“[UNC] really got on him this week to be honest with you,” Saia said. “He was committed to Dartmouth. He’s a 4.0 grade point-average, could be the valedictorian of our school. He was leaning more towards academics and then North Carolina kind of peaked his attention. He told everybody else that he was going to Dartmouth.”
Dartmouth is the only school Conner has officially visited.
“He told everybody that he was going to Dartmouth,” Saia said. “He wouldn’t even talk to anybody. His mom kind of handled his recruiting. I came back to school Monday and North Carolina was all over him and he’s interested. I guess he kind of changed his direction.”
Saia said that Miami has also inquired about Conner this week.
Steve Hagen is handling Conner’s recruitment for North Carolina. Saia doesn't believe UNC has offered.
Conner's once stable recruitment is now up in the air -- at least until after he visits UNC.
“I’m sure he’ll know a lot more after his visit – I would think,” Saia said. “This is just me thinking out loud, nobody has told me this, but I think if North Carolina offers him, he’s going to take it. That’s just my gut feeling in talking to him. He’s pretty excited [about this visit].”
Conner has played every position in Dutchtown’s secondary and also some wide receiver on offense.
“He’s a free safety-type kid,” Saia said. “[He’s a] big, tall, rangy-type kid. [UNC] likes his size and his speed. As an athlete he’s a good looking kid. He certainly has the frame to add some weight.”
As a senior, Conner collected 95 tackles (58 solo), five interceptions, and blocked three kicks.
“He had a great year,” Saia said. “He's only played two years of football. He probably has his best years in front of him. His knowledge is just beginning to be formed. There’s a lot of upside to him.”
Connor is also a star in track and field, participating in the long jump, triple jump, high jump, 4 x 100-meter relay, and 4 x 200-meter relay.
At Scout.com’s New Orleans Combine, Connor clocked a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.