Exploring the Rising Stars: Joey O’Brien, Kaydon Finley, and Other Key Notre Dame Recruiting Targets for the Future
Notre Dame football is always a significant point of focus in the world of college football, consistently striving to recruit top-tier talent from all across the country. With the ever-changing landscape of the recruiting game, keeping an eye on the top targets becomes essential for fans, analysts, and insiders. As the 2025 recruiting cycle approaches, many eyes are on the potential prospects who could significantly shape the future of the Irish football program. Among these rising stars, Joey O’Brien and Kaydon Finley are two standout names that have garnered considerable attention. However, the Notre Dame coaching staff is also looking at a broader pool of recruits that could play vital roles in the team’s aspirations for the future.
Joey O’Brien, a highly regarded offensive tackle, is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2025 class. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing in at around 310 pounds, O’Brien’s physical attributes alone make him an enticing prospect. His size, combined with his agility and footwork, has earned him recognition as one of the most complete offensive linemen in the country. For Notre Dame, which has historically prided itself on having strong offensive lines, O’Brien would fit right into the team’s style of play, which emphasizes a dominant running game and effective protection for the quarterback.
O’Brien’s commitment could be a game-changer for the Irish. With his ability to protect the edge and open up running lanes, he would add immediate depth and talent to an already impressive offensive line. Furthermore, he is known for his high football IQ and leadership on the field, traits that would make him an invaluable asset for Notre Dame in both the short and long term. It’s no surprise that O’Brien is high on the Irish’s recruiting radar, and his addition to the program would undoubtedly bolster their offensive line for the coming years.
Another key target for Notre Dame is Kaydon Finley, a safety who has been turning heads with his exceptional playmaking ability. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 190 pounds, Finley has the ideal size for a safety at the collegiate level. His versatility on the field allows him to impact the game in multiple ways, whether it’s providing deep coverage, stepping up in the run game, or creating turnovers. His ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the ball sets him apart as one of the premier defensive back prospects in the country.
Notre Dame has long been known for producing standout defensive players, and Finley could very well be the next in line. His combination of athleticism, intelligence, and physicality would make him a great fit in the Irish defense, which relies on creating pressure and forcing turnovers. Finley’s ability to cover ground quickly and make plays in critical moments would not only improve the overall defensive backfield but could also bring a new level of playmaking to the secondary.
While O’Brien and Finley may be two of the most high-profile targets, they are far from the only ones that Notre Dame is focusing on for the 2025 class. The Irish coaching staff is actively pursuing a wide range of prospects at different positions, all of whom have the potential to make a significant impact. One of the key areas where the Irish are looking to strengthen is at wide receiver, where several standout players are on the radar. Notre Dame has always prided itself on developing skilled and reliable receivers, and they are determined to continue that tradition moving forward.
In the 2025 cycle, one name that has been linked to Notre Dame is Jalen Brown, a wide receiver from Miami, Florida. Brown has an impressive combination of size and speed, standing at 6’1″ and running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays after the catch would be an asset to Notre Dame’s offense, which has been searching for a dynamic playmaker at the wide receiver position. His route running, combined with his speed, would provide the Irish with a serious weapon to complement their strong running game.
In addition to Brown, the Irish are also pursuing several other wide receiver prospects, such as the highly rated Rico Scott. Scott, a 6’3″ receiver from Pennsylvania, has been impressing scouts with his ability to go up and get the ball. His size and catching ability make him a red zone threat, which would fit well in the Irish offense. With Notre Dame’s passing game continuing to evolve, having a player like Scott could be instrumental in expanding the offensive playbook and providing the team with more balance.
Another crucial position that Notre Dame is focusing on is the linebacker position. With several key players graduating or moving on, there is a need to bring in new talent to fill those voids. One of the top linebacker recruits that the Irish are targeting is linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a highly touted prospect from Texas. Hill is known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, his ability to cover ground quickly, and his hard-hitting mentality. His combination of athleticism and instincts would make him an ideal fit in Notre Dame’s linebacker corps, which plays an integral role in both run defense and pass coverage.
Hill’s recruitment is one to watch closely, as he is one of the top linebackers in the nation. His potential to step in and contribute early would be significant, especially with the linebacker position being one of the most vital to Notre Dame’s defensive scheme. If Hill were to choose Notre Dame, it would not only strengthen the linebacker unit but would also provide the team with a leader who could anchor the defense for years to come.
Along with O’Brien, Finley, Brown, Scott, and Hill, Notre Dame is keeping tabs on numerous other recruits who could make a huge impact in the coming years. From defensive linemen to running backs to quarterbacks, the Irish coaching staff is looking to add depth and talent at every position. In particular, Notre Dame has been known to bring in standout running backs, and they are actively targeting a few top prospects in the 2025 class. One of the top names on their radar is Dante Dowdell, a powerful back from Mississippi. Dowdell has the vision, speed, and physicality to excel in Notre Dame’s pro-style offense, and his addition would provide a physical presence in the backfield.
Quarterback remains another crucial area of focus, as Notre Dame continues to search for their next franchise signal-caller. While the Irish have solid quarterbacks on the roster, adding a young, talented quarterback to the mix is always important for long-term success. One potential target is quarterback Michael Van Buren, a highly skilled signal-caller from Maryland who has been turning heads with his accuracy, arm strength, and ability to read defenses. Van Buren’s skill set would fit perfectly into the Notre Dame offense, and his potential to lead the team in the future could be a major factor in the Irish’s success.
Looking ahead to the 2025 recruiting cycle, Notre Dame’s future is looking incredibly bright. With top-tier prospects like Joey O’Brien and Kaydon Finley, as well as several other key targets at various positions, the Irish are building a strong foundation for the next era of their football program. If the team can land many of these recruits, they will have the talent necessary to remain competitive at the national level, continuing their tradition of excellence both on the field and in the recruiting world. For Notre Dame fans, it’s an exciting time as they look ahead to the future, knowing that the future stars of Irish football are already on their radar.
