Elite 2027 CB Xavier Hasan commits to Notre Dame football, breaks down decision

Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons cornerback Xavier Hasan has committed to Notre Dame, continuing a hot streak for the Fighting Irish in the 2027 class. Hasan made his decision public on the Rivals Recruits YouTube channel on Monday afternoon.

“Coach [Mike] Mickens and Coach J Cod (Jevaughn Codlin) had a lot to do with it — the way they handle the players’ life after football,” Hasan told Blue & Gold before announcing his commitment. “That’s a big part. Coach Mickens has done a great job developing defensive backs like Sauce Gardner, Benjamin Morrison, Leonard Moore and Christian Gray. Those are the types of elite players I want to be.

“The academic piece — they offer a great education. You have to go to class there, and I want to go to class. I want to interact with my teachers and all of that type of stuff. Those were the main things that made me want to commit to Notre Dame.”

Hasan, who is listed as the No. 46 overall prospect and No. 7 cornerback in America according to the 2027 Rivals Industry Ranking, is the highest-ranked commit among the Irish’s nine verbals in the class. He’s the third defensive back commit, along with safety Khalil Terry and cornerback Ace Alston — two other four-star recruits.

The 5-11, 190-pounder picked the Irish over Ohio State, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida State, his other five finalists.

Hasan goes in depth on Notre Dame commitment

It was two weeks to the day that Hasan first informed the staff of his decision to pick the Irish. His first call was to Codlin, who is in his first year as an analyst for the Irish. He then spoke with Mickens and head coach Marcus Freeman shortly thereafter.

“They were all really fired up — screaming pretty much,” recalled Hasan. “It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, honestly. This process has been stressful.”

Codlin getting the first call from the elite prospect shows just how important he was in Hasan’s recruitment. The former West Virginia staffer is a star in the making as a recruiter.

“That’s my guy,” said Hasan. “He knows my trainer well. When he was at West Virginia, he was recruiting me to go there, and we’ve been talking since my freshman year. I know him really well.”

Freeman was, of course, another key coach in leading Hasan to pick the Irish.

“He said it’s a place where they’re going to take care of me,” Hasan said regarding his call to commit to Freeman. “When I called him, he was getting a haircut, so that was pretty funny. He was excited and was telling me how special and different Notre Dame is. He said it’s going to be hard, but in order to get the things you want in life, it’s going to be hard.”

Terry committed to the Irish on Nov. 12, and Alston’s announcement came on Dec. 9. It could appear that Hasan’s commitment came as a response to that and a desire to lock in his spot, but Hasan pushed back on that idea. This was all in his own timing.

“No, there was no urgency about it,” he stated. “I didn’t know Ace was committing. It was the right time for me.

“Notre Dame is special. It feels like home. The vibe is different than any other school.”

There’s a year until National Signing Day for the 2027 class, so much can take place between now and then, but Hasan has no plans to take any other college trips.

“I would check in with the Notre Dame coaches about that, but I probably won’t go on any other visits,” he said.

The Fighting Irish offered Hasan as part of its Pot of Gold day back in March. Hasan’s first visit to campus was for the staff’s Irish Invasion camp in early June, and he returned to South Bend for the Texas A&M game in September and the Navy contest two months later.

The Xavier Hasan file

Hasan didn’t get many targets thrown his way as a junior, limiting his statistical production. He posted 17 tackles (1 for loss), 3 interceptions and 1 pass breakup.

As a sophomore, he totaled 31 stops (1 for loss), 7 interceptions, 8 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. He was named to the CAP-6 All-Conference first-team defense.

He reports that he hasn’t given up a touchdown and has allowed a 13 percent completion percentage on his targets over the past two seasons.

Hasan is committed to playing in the 2026 Polynesian Bowl.

In the spring, Hasan posted a personal records of 10.9 in the 100-meter race and 22.2 in the 200 meters.

Rivals’ own rankings are higher on Hasan than the Industry Ranking, listing him as the No. 27 prospect nationally and No. 4 cornerback.

“I’m a hard worker; you’re going to get 100 percent out of me all the time,” Hasan said. “I’m caring — I like to help other people and give back. I love my family. I love to spend time with the people I love.”