Texas Four-Star WR Kaydon Finley Picks Notre Dame, Signaling Program’s Growing National Reach and a Shift in Recruiting Power
The recruitment of Kaydon Finley, a highly touted four-star wide receiver out of Texas, has officially come to a conclusion—and it ends with him committing to Notre Dame. The decision is not only a significant pickup for Marcus Freeman and his staff, but also one of the more fascinating developments on the 2026 recruiting trail so far. Finley, the son of former Texas Longhorn and NFL tight end Jermichael Finley, was long expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and play for the Longhorns. Instead, he chose to carve his own path and head to South Bend.
This move has layered implications for Notre Dame, Texas, and Finley himself. It’s about more than just another four-star recruit—it’s about momentum, independence, and what this says about the broader picture of college football recruiting. Here are five extended thoughts on what Finley’s commitment means for the Fighting Irish and the landscape they operate in.
For years, Notre Dame recruiting was often confined to the Midwest, sprinkled with the occasional East Coast or California standout. But under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame’s reach has become national—and increasingly southern.
The Irish have made a habit of pulling elite prospects from the Southeast and Texas in particular, which is no easy task given the presence of recruiting giants like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas, and Texas A&M. Landing Finley, who had strong ties to Texas and grew up immersed in the culture of the Longhorns, shows just how far Notre Dame’s recruiting power has come under Freeman.
This isn’t a one-off win. Notre Dame has quietly stacked up significant recruiting victories in states where they were once considered longshots. With Chansi Stuckey spearheading receiver recruiting and Freeman heavily involved in all major pursuits, Notre Dame is now seen as a legitimate destination by recruits across the South.
The commitment from Finley doesn’t just bring a top-150 player to South Bend—it solidifies Notre Dame as a program that can consistently win head-to-head battles with regional heavyweights on their own turf. That’s something Notre Dame hasn’t done at this level in decades.
Notre Dame’s offense is in transition. With Mike Denbrock taking over as offensive coordinator, the passing game is being retooled into a more explosive, balanced system that demands elite wide receiver play.
Kaydon Finley brings exactly the kind of skill set Denbrock covets. At 6-foot-2 and around 190 pounds, he’s a smooth, technical route runner with great hands, body control, and the ability to win in contested-catch situations. He’s not just a deep threat or a possession guy—he can do both.
Finley’s tape shows a player who understands leverage, tracks the ball well, and adjusts mid-route to maximize separation. His football IQ is advanced, no surprise considering his NFL pedigree.
For Notre Dame, which has struggled in recent years to develop top-end receiver talent consistently, this is another key addition to what is becoming a much more dynamic receiver room. Combined with recent recruiting wins like Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert, Finley helps give the Irish a long-term receiving corps that can compete with elite defenses.
And perhaps most importantly, Finley looks like someone who could play early. His polish and size give him a chance to earn meaningful reps as soon as he arrives on campus.
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline of Finley’s decision is the legacy factor. His father, Jermichael Finley, starred at Texas before enjoying a solid NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. For years, fans and analysts assumed that Kaydon would naturally end up in Austin.
But Finley flipped the script.
His decision to go against family ties and choose Notre Dame speaks volumes about his maturity and desire to carve out his own identity. It wasn’t about geography or nostalgia—it was about fit, opportunity, and long-term vision.
Notre Dame offered him something Texas couldn’t: a chance to step into a unique offensive system, an elite academic environment, and a culture that valued more than just football.
Finley’s choice shows that today’s recruits are thinking about more than logos. They’re looking at development, values, and overall life trajectory. And in that light, Notre Dame checks a lot of boxes.
While he may be walking away from a family tradition, he’s starting one of his own—and it’s one that could make a lasting impact in South Bend.
It’s hard to overstate the impact Chansi Stuckey has had on Notre Dame’s receiver recruiting since joining the staff. The former NFL receiver has become one of the most effective recruiters on Freeman’s staff, and the Finley commitment is just the latest feather in his cap.
Stuckey connects with recruits in a way that’s genuine and forward-thinking. He blends player development talk with real-life mentorship, offering a full-picture pitch that resonates with both players and parents.
With Finley, Stuckey established a relationship early, kept consistent communication, and gave a clear vision of how he would be developed and featured in the offense. That personal connection made the difference, especially with so many other programs offering a similar football resume.
Stuckey’s role in helping Notre Dame land Finley—and other recent receiver recruits—cements him as one of the top young assistant coaches in college football. It also makes clear that Notre Dame is recruiting at a much higher level in the skill positions than it has in recent memory.
Kaydon Finley’s commitment is not about filling a hole for 2024 or 2025. It’s about building for 2026, 2027, and beyond.
Freeman’s strategy isn’t focused on quick fixes. It’s rooted in sustainable, long-term success. That means stacking classes, building depth, and constructing a program that can reload rather than rebuild.
Finley gives the Irish another foundational piece for that vision. His presence helps attract other top recruits, especially at quarterback and wide receiver, where chemistry and cohesion are key.
The commitment also helps shape how Notre Dame is viewed nationally. This is no longer a program just living on tradition—it’s one that is recruiting at a level necessary to compete with Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan.
Every commitment like Finley’s brings Notre Dame one step closer to that elite tier.
He may not be the most high-profile name in the 2026 class—yet—but he represents exactly what Notre Dame needs: smart, tough, explosive players who believe in what Marcus Freeman is building.
And if that vision becomes reality, Kaydon Finley’s name will be remembered not just as a great recruit—but as one of the cornerstones of a championship-caliber roster.
