Latest Intel Emerges on Joey O’Brien, Khary Adams, and Kaydon Finley After Notre Dame’s Biggest Recruiting Weekend Yet
Notre Dame’s biggest recruiting weekend of the year has come and gone, and with it arrives a surge of optimism, intrigue, and momentum surrounding three high-profile recruits: Joey O’Brien, Khary Adams, and Kaydon Finley. This trio of prospects—each one talented, heavily pursued, and representing critical positional needs for the Irish—left South Bend with plenty to think about. As the echoes of the visit weekend linger, the recruiting landscape for these three players has begun to crystallize, offering a clearer picture of where Notre Dame stands and what may come next.
The Fighting Irish staff went all-in this past weekend. Between high-stakes facility tours, one-on-one time with Marcus Freeman and key assistants, and a chance to bond with current players and fellow recruits, the weekend was designed to leave a lasting impression—and according to multiple sources, it succeeded.
Joey O’Brien: A Visit That Could Shift the Tide
Joey O’Brien, the four-star defensive end from Philadelphia (St. Joseph’s Prep), entered the visit with Notre Dame trailing Penn State and Michigan slightly in his recruitment. By the time he boarded his return flight home, the Irish may have done enough to change the calculus.
At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, O’Brien is a prototypical edge rusher—athletic, long-limbed, and disruptive off the snap. He’s been a top target for defensive line coach Al Washington since the winter, but it wasn’t until this weekend that O’Brien finally saw Notre Dame in full.
According to sources close to the visit, O’Brien was “blown away” by both the academic environment and the cultural fit. It wasn’t just the facilities—although he reportedly loved the Irish Athletics Center—but the way he was treated by the players and coaches.
He spent significant time with both Al Golden and Marcus Freeman, who pitched a vision of him as an early-impact player in a defensive scheme built to showcase his explosiveness. Freeman emphasized Notre Dame’s recent track record of putting defensive linemen into the NFL—players like Isaiah Foskey and Julian Okwara—as proof that the Irish can develop him into a pro-level talent.
Another key moment in the visit: O’Brien bonded with 2025 defensive line commit Davion Dixon. The two had never met in person, but hit it off quickly. There’s growing buzz that Dixon may try to actively recruit O’Brien to South Bend moving forward.
Notre Dame likely now stands no worse than even with Penn State and Michigan, and some believe the Irish have nudged into the lead. A decision isn’t imminent—O’Brien still plans to take official visits to both PSU and Michigan in the coming weeks—but Notre Dame has given him plenty to think about. The next step will be keeping up the momentum, especially with Penn State trying to close strong.
Khary Adams: Rising Priority, Strong Impression
Khary Adams may not be a household name yet, but he’s quickly becoming a priority target for Notre Dame’s staff—and after this weekend, it’s clear the feeling is mutual.
A speedy and versatile safety out of Georgia, Adams entered the weekend with several SEC programs pushing hard, including Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Auburn. However, Notre Dame’s pitch appears to have landed with force.
The Irish emphasized two things: academic excellence and defensive versatility. Safeties coach Chris O’Leary reportedly spent hours going over film with Adams and explaining how he could be deployed in multiple ways—deep coverage, in the slot, and even as a hybrid linebacker in some sets.
More importantly, Adams walked away feeling like he belonged. Sources say he connected strongly with current safety Xavier Watts, who shared his own recruiting story and how Notre Dame helped him grow as a person and player.
The visit also allowed Adams to see the larger vision Marcus Freeman has for the secondary. With the Irish looking to reload in the defensive backfield following the expected departure of multiple veterans in 2025, Adams was told he could play early—and often.
One source described the visit as “game-changing” in his recruitment. While Tennessee is still a serious contender—especially given their proximity and NIL infrastructure—Notre Dame may now be in pole position. Adams has not set a commitment date, but don’t be surprised if the Irish are a hat on the table when the time comes.
Kaydon Finley: Irish Making Major Push for Elite Tight End Legacy
Of the three visitors, Kaydon Finley may be the most intriguing—not just because of his skillset, but because of his background. The 6-foot-5 tight end from Texas is the son of former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley, and he’s got a game that mirrors his father’s blend of power, hands, and vertical athleticism.
Notre Dame tight ends have a long and rich history, and Finley has taken notice. The Irish coaching staff did everything they could this weekend to reinforce the “Tight End U” brand, rolling out film of Michael Mayer, Tyler Eifert, and Cole Kmet during his meetings with tight ends coach Mike Denbrock.
Finley, who has been on the radar of Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama, told sources that the Notre Dame visit “felt different.” He appreciated the legacy of success at the position, and he was reportedly impressed by how much time Freeman spent with him and his family.
Academics are also a major factor for the Finleys, and Notre Dame’s reputation resonated with them. Jermichael Finley, who has said publicly that he’s focused on more than just football in his son’s recruitment, was said to be “very impressed” by the resources, support structure, and post-football planning Notre Dame offers.
It may still be early in Finley’s process—he hasn’t named official finalists—but Notre Dame now appears to be a serious player. If the Irish can get him back to campus for another visit during the season, especially for a major game weekend, they may have a real chance to land one of the top tight ends in the country.
The Bigger Picture: Weekend as a Statement
More than just the individual updates, this recruiting weekend marked an important moment in Marcus Freeman’s ongoing efforts to build a national championship-caliber roster. Notre Dame’s strategy has been clear: identify high-upside, high-character athletes early, build genuine relationships, and close with smart, focused visit experiences.
That strategy was on full display this weekend.
The energy from the players on campus, the organization of the weekend, and the visibility of the coaching staff across multiple events all signaled that Notre Dame isn’t just trying to keep pace with top programs—they’re looking to overtake them.
Multiple sources noted how involved Freeman was throughout the entire process. He wasn’t just shaking hands or doing photo ops—he was deep in film sessions, hosting family dinners, and selling his program one conversation at a time. His fingerprints were all over the weekend, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
The Irish also leaned heavily on their current players, many of whom were hand-picked to host visiting prospects. The goal: show the culture, not just tell it. From all accounts, that approach worked.
What Comes Next
For Joey O’Brien, Khary Adams, and Kaydon Finley, the next steps will vary. O’Brien will likely take a couple more officials before announcing a summer commitment. Adams could move more quickly, while Finley may take things deeper into the fall.
But the Irish have done what they needed to: they made the cut, shifted the narrative, and in at least two cases, possibly took the lead.
Notre Dame won’t land every elite recruit it hosts—no program does—but what’s becoming increasingly clear is that the Freeman era is defined by intent, precision, and relentlessness on the recruiting trail. This past weekend was a reminder that, even in the NIL era and in a landscape tilted toward the SEC and Big Ten’s financial might, Notre Dame still holds powerful cards.
Legacy, development, education, culture—and a coaching staff that never stops. For O’Brien, Adams, and Finley, those cards may be enough to turn potential into commitment.
