Notre Dame kicks off absurd recruiting run that could also set off a chain reaction in very important territory for the Fighting Irish

Notre Dame lands an outstanding defender who could set off a massive recruiting chain reaction.

Ryan Roberts National College Football Writer
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Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive backs coach Mike Mickens in the huddle with players during a time out against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After some recent buzz, Notre Dame football is expecting a series of great recruiting news on the horizon. It began on Wednesday when head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish landed a commitment from 2027 Tustin (Calif.) High School four-star safety Khalil Terry. They landed Terry over finalists Tennessee, Oklahoma, USC, and UNC.

It is a great early addition for secondary coach Mike Mickens, who has become one of the best recruiters and developers on the back end in all of college football. Terry visited South Bend this past weekend for the Irish’s matchup against the Navy Midshipmen, and clearly, things went well. There wasn’t an intention of making the decision public this quickly, but the visit put everything over the top.

Terry is considered a four-star player by all the major recruiting platforms. According to the 247 Sports Composite ranking, the California native is listed as the No. 198 overall player, the No. 21 safety, and the No. 20 player from the state of California for the 2027 recruiting class. His rankings are consistent across the board.

The offer list for Terry is even more impressive, and he has been pursued by some of the top programs in all of college football. His top offers include the Fighting Irish, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Oklahoma, LSU, Tennessee, Penn State, USC, Auburn, Nebraska, Missouri, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Michigan State, Texas Tech, UNC, Arkansas, Utah, Washington, Maryland, Arizona, Cal, Kansas, Oregon State, UCLA, and Syracuse, among many others. 

As a junior this season, Terry has put together an outstanding campaign for Tustin. In 11 games, the 6-0, 185-pound defensive back has recorded 62 total tackles, four interceptions, and 16 pass breakups. Terry has also managed to collect four tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.

A chain reaction for Notre Dame recruiting

Terry’s commitment has a chance to begin a chain reaction of excitement for Notre Dame on the recruiting trail. Over the last several weeks, Freeman’s staff has been steadily positioning themselves well with several 2027 recruiting targets. They are also trending in a great direction with 2026 Penn State safety Matt Sieg, and they are becoming the favorite to make the flip happen.

One interesting thing to watch is that Terry is also teammates with fellow 2027 Notre Dame target Taven Epps, a dominant defender who has the physical profile to play linebacker or EDGE at the next level. The 6-4, 210-pound defender recently decommitted from the Texas Longhorns, and the Irish have quickly become a favorite for the California native. He recently visited South Bend for their matchup against the USC Trojans a few weeks ago.