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Joey O’Brien, Kaydon Finley, and other key Notre Dame recruiting targets that the team must close on to solidify elite 2026 class

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated May 20, 2025 6:28 PM ET

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish staff have been on quite the roll with the 2026 recruiting class. With several big commitments over the last several weeks, the class is beginning to come into full focus. There are still, however, a few very important targets that are still on the board for the team.

Here are the most important targets that remain for Notre Dame in 2026. The class is already going to be very good, but can this be an elite group? That will be determined if the staff can close on a few from this "can't miss group."

WR Kaydon Finley - Aledo (Texas) High School

Notre Dame is off to a solid start when it comes to wide receiver recruiting class with commitments from Dylan Faison and Bubba Frazier, but the class needs a couple of leaders. With a few important targets left out there, there isn't a higher floor player than Finley. The 6-0, 200-pound pass catcher is an outstanding football player and one of the more productive wide receivers in the class. The Irish staff is battling Texas and Texas A&M for Finley. Getting him would be a monumental grab.

ATH Joey O’Brien - Glenside (Pa.) La Salle College

O'Brien is a rare player in a lot of ways. Notre Dame has valued him a ton at cornerback. The 6-4, 190-pound athlete can also be a legitimate difference maker at both safety and wide receiver. That versatility would be a huge thing for the FIghting Irish, who could use him in several spots for this class. They continue to battle Penn State for O'Brien, and Oregon is also making things interesting.

DT Khary Wilder - Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra

With Texas defensive tackle Tiki Hola already in the fold, it is a good start on the interior for the Fighting Irish. What is missing on the inside is a three technique that can create a ton of penetration. That is where Wilder fits into the formula. At 6-4 and over 250 pounds, WIlder is going to balloon on the college level. Notre Dame is battling to get Wilder, and it won't be easy. They could really use a player his style.

TE Evan Jacobson - Waukee (Iowa) High School

Some may find this inclusion a bit weird, but Jacobson has become a very important target in this class. The 6-7, 220-pound tight end is very talented, his game resembling former Irish star Kyle Rudolph. Notre Dame also wants to bring in two tight ends in the 2026 class, and the board is pretty small right now. The team will continue to push for Ian Premer, but Jacobson is the most likely future commitment on the board right now. Getting him in the class would be a great start.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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