Despite coaching changes, Khalil Terry finds renewed excitement with Notre Dame's new staff, forging a strong connection and reaffirming his commitment.
The offseason has certainly been eventful for Notre Dame, with the Irish program losing players, adding players, losing coaches and adding coaches. Lost in a lot of the coaching turnover is the impact it can have on current players and recruits, and that's certainly true for 2027 Notre Dame commit Khalil Terry.
The Tustin, Calif./Tustin standout committed to Notre Dame in November, making a pledge to play for then secondary coach Mike Mickens. In early February, Mickens departed for the Baltimore Ravens, which shook things up for Terry.
"Truthfully, I was shocked," Terry said of the Mickens departure. "My dad put it in perspective for me though. It’s a business, and coaches make moves to better their career. Going to the NFL is a goal for them too."
Mickens, the former Notre Dame defensive backs coach, and arguably the Irish’s top recruiter in recent seasons, joined new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter’s staff and left big shoes to fill. How head coach Marcus Freeman filled those shoes would have an impact on the present and future of secondary recruiting at Notre Dame.
Freeman tabbed former Illinois defensive coordinator and secondary coach Aaron Henry for the role, and he's made a strong early impression on Terry.
"I really like Coach Henry," Terry said. "He’s relatable and he’s coached some really great players. He’s really taken the time to get to know me and my family. I can tell he’s a teacher and he’s really patient when we talk. I feel like he really cares about his players."
Mickens had a proven track record of developing secondary players at a high level, and helping them advance to the NFL. Henry's similar track record stands out to Terry, and long with new safeties coach Jevaughn Codlin, the remade Irish staff has made a great impression on Terry.
"Everything has been great," Terry said of his building relationship with the Irish staff. "We have Coach Henry and Coach J-Cod is back, so it feels good to know who I’m going to be playing for.
"As far as development, the plan is the same, he’s going to do with me and us what he’s always done and that is teach the game and demand excellence on and off the field," continued Terry. ".... based on the guys that he developed at Illinois, I feel great. Plus, J-Cod is back as well, so we’re in great hands across the board."
Terry plans to be back on campus at Notre Dame in July (19-21) for an official visit. His commitment to Notre Dame hasn't stopped other programs from trying to get back in with him.
"Several programs offered after I committed and some of the ones that had already offered stepped up their recruiting," Terry noted. "The recruiting process is what it is. More than anything, I’ve focused on keeping the main thing the main thing and that’s getting to South Bend."
Terry is part of a strong three-man secondary class for Notre Dame, and keeping all three in the class is key for the Irish. Terry, a four-star recruit and the No. 158 overall player in the country according to On3, is joined in the class by cornerbacks Xavier Hasan and Ace Alston. On3 ranks both Hasan and Alston as Top 100 players.
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