Four-star WR Kaydon Finley, the son of SB XLV champion Jermichael Finley, announced his commitment to Notre Dame over Texas, where his father played at in college.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting world, four-star wide receiver Kaydon Finley, the son of Super Bowl XLV champion Jermichael Finley, has committed to Notre Dame over a number of other prestigious programs, including Texas, where his father played during his college years. Kaydon’s commitment is not only a big win for the Fighting Irish but also a significant moment for Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts, further strengthening their already impressive 2026 class. For those familiar with Jermichael Finley’s success as a standout tight end in the NFL, the decision of his son to choose Notre Dame over Texas carries with it a sense of excitement and anticipation for what the younger Finley can bring to the program.
Jermichael Finley’s legacy in football is undeniable. During his career with the Green Bay Packers, Finley became one of the most dynamic tight ends in the NFL, helping lead the Packers to a Super Bowl title in 2011. His combination of size, speed, and athleticism made him a mismatch for opposing defenses, and he was a crucial part of one of the most potent offenses in the league at the time. After a career that included over 2,000 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in the NFL, Jermichael Finley retired due to injuries but remains a beloved figure in Green Bay Packers history. As a former Texas Longhorn, Jermichael played a significant role in shaping the program during his time there, earning All-Big 12 honors and making a name for himself as one of the top tight ends in the country before going on to become an NFL star.
With such a strong pedigree, Kaydon Finley’s decision to follow in his father’s footsteps as a high-level football player was almost inevitable. The younger Finley had always been around the game, soaking in knowledge from his father, who served as both a mentor and a role model. But despite the obvious connection to Texas, where Jermichael starred as a standout tight end, Kaydon’s decision to commit to Notre Dame speaks volumes about his growth as an athlete and the way in which he sees his future.
Kaydon Finley is an impressive prospect in his own right. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 190 pounds, the younger Finley is an explosive wide receiver with a unique blend of size, speed, and agility. His ability to run crisp, precise routes and track the ball downfield has made him one of the most sought-after wide receiver recruits in the country. Finley’s ability to get in and out of breaks, coupled with his ability to make contested catches in the red zone, makes him a threat in both the short and deep passing game. His combination of physical attributes and football intelligence gives him a rare upside, which is why he’s so highly regarded by recruiting analysts and college coaches alike.
What truly sets Kaydon apart, however, is his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. While he is already an excellent wide receiver, he has shown flashes of brilliance as a return specialist, leveraging his speed and vision to create explosive plays in the open field. This dual-threat capability makes him an even more valuable asset to Notre Dame, as the Fighting Irish will be able to utilize him in a variety of offensive sets. Kaydon’s versatility as a wide receiver and return man is one of the reasons Notre Dame’s coaching staff is so excited about his potential and why he was considered one of the top targets for the 2026 recruiting class.
For Notre Dame, landing a player of Kaydon’s caliber is a significant coup, particularly when considering the program’s long-standing need to strengthen its wide receiver position. While the Fighting Irish have always been known for their prowess in the trenches and their emphasis on a balanced offensive attack, they’ve historically had periods of inconsistency at the wide receiver position. With Kaydon Finley now joining the fold, however, the Fighting Irish have added a playmaker who can help diversify their offense and create big-play opportunities in the passing game.
Kaydon’s commitment to Notre Dame also signals a shift in the landscape of college football recruiting. Despite being heavily courted by Texas, where his father had such a storied college career, Kaydon decided to take a different path. In interviews, Kaydon has emphasized that his decision to commit to Notre Dame wasn’t about following in his father’s footsteps but about choosing a program where he felt he could develop both as a player and as a person. Notre Dame’s unique blend of academic rigor, elite football coaching, and championship aspirations was simply too attractive to pass up.
One of the most compelling aspects of Kaydon’s decision is the relationship he built with Notre Dame’s coaching staff, particularly with head coach Marcus Freeman and wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey. Freeman, who has quickly established himself as one of the top young coaches in college football, has been instrumental in reshaping Notre Dame’s culture, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. His emphasis on developing players holistically—focusing on both athletic and academic growth—resonated with Kaydon and his family, who wanted more than just a football factory for their son. Freeman’s vision for the future of Notre Dame football, along with his ability to develop wide receivers, was a key factor in Kaydon’s decision.
Stuckey, who has quickly built a reputation as one of the best wide receivers coaches in the country, played a major role in Kaydon’s recruitment as well. Stuckey has a track record of developing wide receivers into NFL-caliber players, and his ability to help players refine their route-running, ball tracking, and overall technique was a huge selling point for Kaydon. The relationship between Stuckey and Kaydon was built over several visits to South Bend, and the trust between the two was a major factor in Kaydon ultimately choosing Notre Dame over Texas.
While the prospect of playing at a program like Texas—where his father starred—was certainly enticing, Kaydon’s decision was driven more by the opportunity to carve out his own path rather than follow a well-worn one. Playing at a school with the tradition and history of Notre Dame offers its own set of challenges, but it also provides a platform for players to make their own names in college football lore. For Kaydon, the allure of playing for a program that emphasizes both football excellence and academic achievement was too strong to resist.
In addition to the football program itself, Notre Dame’s reputation as a school that values student-athletes and helps them prepare for life beyond football was another draw for Kaydon and his family. The Finleys have always placed a high value on education, and the opportunity for Kaydon to attend one of the top academic institutions in the country, while also playing elite-level football, made Notre Dame an ideal fit. This is an aspect that many college recruits overlook but one that has always been central to Notre Dame’s identity. For Kaydon, the combination of world-class academics and elite football was the perfect balance.
As Kaydon prepares to take the field for Notre Dame, the expectations will be high—but so will the support. Fighting Irish fans are already eager to see him play, and with his blend of size, athleticism, and skill, it’s easy to understand why. The hype surrounding his recruitment, combined with his impressive skill set, has many projecting him to make an immediate impact in South Bend. His ability to stretch the field, make plays in the open field, and excel as a return man makes him a key piece in Notre Dame’s offensive future.
Looking ahead, Kaydon’s decision to commit to Notre Dame sets the stage for an exciting chapter in Fighting Irish football. With his versatility and potential, he could be a game-changer for the program in the coming years, especially as Notre Dame continues to develop its offensive identity under Marcus Freeman. Kaydon is expected to come in and compete for significant playing time immediately, and with the talent surrounding him in the 2026 class, the Fighting Irish offense is poised to take a major step forward.
In conclusion, Kaydon Finley’s commitment to Notre Dame is one of the most exciting moments in the program’s recent history. The son of Super Bowl champion Jermichael Finley, Kaydon brings a unique blend of talent, pedigree, and potential to the Fighting Irish. His decision to choose Notre Dame over Texas, where his father played in college, speaks volumes about his desire to forge his own path while also finding the perfect environment to grow both as a player and as a person. With his size, skill set, and football IQ, Kaydon Finley is poised to be a star in South Bend, and Fighting Irish fans are eager to see what the future holds for this exciting prospect.
