California's top defensive back Khalil Terry chooses Notre Dame, bringing playmaking instincts and positional versatility to South Bend's 2027 class.
Notre Dame has added to its ascending 2027 class today by picking up one of the nation's top defensive backs, with Tustin (Calif.) High School safety Khalil Terry committing to the Fighting Irish. Terry picked Notre Dame over USC, Oklahoma, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Terry first visited Notre Dame for the April Blue-Gold Game, and the Irish became a major factor following that visit. Secondary coach Mike Mickens continued building a strong bond with Terry coming out of that visit. The California standout visited Notre Dame to watch them whip Navy this past weekend, and that trip sealed the deal for the Irish.
The 5-11, 185-pound safety projects as both a safety and a nickel in the Notre Dame defense. He's a standout for his Tustin defense, which also includes 2027 linebacker Taven Epps, another Irish target on defense. Terry has racked up 62 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack this season for the Tillers. Even more impressive is his 16 pass break ups and four interceptions. Terry plays some offense for Tustin as well, and he added 255 yards and four rushing touchdowns on just 31 carries (8.2 yards per carry).
Terry ranks as the nation's No. 130 overall player according to Rivals/On3, and he ranks as the 13th best safety in the country. Terry plays all over the field for Tustin. He'll line up at at safety, cornerback and nickel in the Tiller defense, and he shines at each position. His positional flexibility adds to his value to the Irish in this class, and he's an all-around playmaker, something Mickens has always valued in recruits.
He isn't the biggest defensive back and he doesn't have elite speed, which is partly why his ranking isn't quite as high as some other top targets on the board. Once you get past that you see why Notre Dame pushed so hard to land Terry. He's a fluid athlete that can change direction with ease. Terry is also incredibly instinctive and smart, and his ability to read routes and quarterbacks allows him to constantly be in good position. His change of direction ability combines nicely with his smart, feel for the game, range and length to allow him to make a ton of plays on the ball in coverage, which is evidenced by his 20 passes defensed in just 11 games.
You can see Terry's athletic skill on offense as well, where he shows impressive foot quickness, suddenness and acceleration after cuts. Those traits allow him to move with ease on the back end, including showing an impressive ability to quickly plant, redirect and drive downhill on the football.
Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, USC, Oregon, Oklahoma, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Tennessee, Penn State, Nebraska, Auburn, Arkansas, Washington, Missouri, Arizona State, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA, Utah, North Carolina, Kansas, Texas Tech, Maryland, Syracuse, Arizona, California and Oregon State.
Terry is the sixth player to commit to Notre Dame in the 2027 class. He joins Georgia quarterback Terry Jarrard, Pennsylvania offensive lineman James Halter, Wisconsin defensive lineman Richie Flanigan, Alabama linebacker Ellis McGaskin and North Carolina snapper Sean Kraft.
———————
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!