Four-star safety Khalil Terry commits to Notre Dame football over USC

Notre Dame is on track to sign its first top-five recruiting class in over a decade for the 2026 cycle, and Marcus Freeman and company are off to a hot start in 2027 as well. On Wednesday afternoon, Tustin (Calif.) High four-star safety Khalil Terry announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish.

Recruiting insiders had the 6-0, 185-pounder pegged to the USC Trojans prior to Terry’s visit to South Bend this past weekend. But that all changed after a tremendous trip to Notre Dame.

“First, I would say the coaches — Mike Mickens and Marcus Freeman are amazing guys,” Terry told Blue & Gold about picking Notre Dame before his decision went public. “It’s close to where I’m from in Ohio. I can see family, and I took that into consideration. And lastly, the opportunity there — they can offer things that most schools can’t. The degree is very special, and the coaches are awesome. It was the clear best option for me.”

Terry ranks as the nation’s No. 157 overall prospect and No. 16 safety according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services. Per Rivals’ own rankings, Terry is the No. 130 prospect and No. 13 safety in America.

He has an elite offer list, with programs such as Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Miami, Penn State, Oregon, and LSU having extended scholarships. He’s reported 35 offers.

Terry is Notre Dame’s sixth commitment in the 2027 class and first defensive back pledge.

Terry breaks down his Notre Dame commitment

He grew up in the Columbus, Ohio, area and moved to California with his immediate family a few years ago. But the rest of his family is still in Columbus and Cleveland. Terry’s aunt has known Mickens for a long time, which only helped his comfort with his future position coach.

Of course, Mickens and Freeman are from Dayton, which is only about an hour from where Terry grew up.

Going into the Notre Dame visit this past weekend, committing wasn’t on his mind. It was his second trip to campus, with the first taking place back in April for the Blue-Gold Game.

“It surprised me by the end of the trip,” Terry noted. “During my first visit, I wasn’t sure if it was the spot for me, but when I got to know the coaches more and learned more about the university, I saw that it was for me, and I connected with it way more.”

Terry saw the Irish destroy Navy on Saturday night and returned to campus Sunday for a bit to spend more time with the staff.

“I knew I wanted to commit after my meeting with Coach Freeman,” Terry stated. “When I got home, I talked it over with all of my family, and then we called Coach Mickens and said that we wanted to commit.”

That call to Mickens came Sunday night after he got home, and Terry didn’t waste much time going public with his choice. His commitment date was reported Monday, and he announced his decision Wednesday afternoon.

“The Notre Dame coaches were surprised and really happy for me,” he said.

On Dec. 1, 2024, Terry committed to Michigan State but decommitted on June 15, 2025. Two commitments before one’s senior year aren’t common, nor was it part of Terry’s original plan, but he didn’t see value in waiting to commit to Notre Dame once he knew it was where he wanted to call home.

“I actually didn’t want to commit this early, but Notre Dame felt like the right spot,” he said.

Terry will provide versatility to the Notre Dame secondary.

“They said I play like No. 8 (Adon Shuler),” he said. “They’ll probably use me like they use him. They put him around the box sometimes, but they also play him in the back as well.”

The Khalil Terry file

Terry’s junior season ended with a playoff loss on Nov. 7, but his 2025 campaign was exceptional. In 11 games (9-2 record), he recorded 62 stops, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, 16 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

He’s been a varsity starter since his freshman year and has impressive career numbers: 179 stops, 10 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hurries, 9 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 29 pass breakups, and 3 forced fumbles across three seasons.

Terry was a first-team All-Orange County selection by OC Varsity and member of the Prep Redzone All-Southern California Sophomore Team for his efforts as a sophomore.

He was named to the Tustin High Principal’s Honor Roll for the fall of 2024.

“I’m a chill dude,” Terry said. “I don’t do too much besides work out and play football. I’m a good student — academics are important to my family. If I ever have a C, then I’m in trouble.”