Kaydon Finley has officially committed to Notre Dame, marking a significant milestone in his journey as a top football prospect. The talented 2026 Texas receiver has chosen to make South Bend, Indiana, his new home, adding to the excitement surrounding the Fighting Irish's recruiting efforts. Finley brings the total number of verbal commitments for the Class of 2026 to 23, which includes three standout receivers: Dylan Faison and Bubba Frazier, alongside Finley.
Finley’s decision to join the Irish comes amid fierce competition, as he also considered offers from Texas and Texas A&M, along with numerous other prestigious programs. At 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds, the receiver hails from Aledo High School and is the son of former Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley. His commitment is particularly noteworthy as it reflects Notre Dame's strong recruiting strategy, especially in the state of Texas.
In the coming days, more announcements are expected from other top prospects, including Arizona receiver Devin Fitzgerald and Texas’ Brayden Robinson, both of whom are rumored to be leaning towards Notre Dame. The Irish coaching staff has worked diligently to secure these commitments, positioning themselves as frontrunners in the competitive recruiting landscape.
During the recruiting process, Finley made several visits to Notre Dame, including two trips last month alone—one being an unofficial visit and the other an official visit. Interestingly, despite his Texas roots and the legacy of his father as a Longhorn star, Finley found himself visiting South Bend more frequently than Austin. This trend illustrates the impact Notre Dame has had on him throughout his recruitment.
Although Texas put up a strong fight in the final weeks of the recruiting cycle, sources indicated that both the Longhorns and the Irish viewed Finley as a crucial prospect. Ultimately, it was Notre Dame that won Finley's commitment, showcasing their effective recruiting strategy.
Finley's choice was heavily influenced by his interactions with Notre Dame’s coaching staff, particularly receivers coach Mike Brown, general manager Mike Martin, and head coach Marcus Freeman. “I love Coach Freeman and Coach Brown, and how they coach and teach their players,” Finley stated. He praised Freeman as one of the best coaches he has encountered, emphasizing his genuine nature and ability to inspire players.
Finley also expressed admiration for Mike Martin, highlighting his football acumen and energetic approach. A single phone call from Martin solidified Finley’s decision, as he felt a strong connection to the coaching style and vision at Notre Dame.
As Finley joins the 2026 recruiting class, he recognizes the importance of building relationships with his fellow recruits. “I’m going to be around those people most of the time. That’s who I’m going to be learning with and developing with,” he noted. His commitment adds to a growing list of talented players who visited Notre Dame during official visits in June, including tight ends Ian Premer and Preston Fryzel, offensive linemen Charlie Thom and Grayson McKeogh, and defensive backs Khary Adams and Joey O'Brien.
In addition to Finley, Notre Dame is also in a strong position with other top prospects, including safety Nicholas Reddish, who will announce his decision on July 11th, and defensive end Elijah Golden, set to reveal his choice on July 26th. There is still some uncertainty regarding tight end Evan Jacobson's status, but what is clear is that Notre Dame is assembling one of the finest recruiting classes in recent memory. Finley is undoubtedly a key piece of this exciting puzzle.
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