Notre Dame Best Fit for Sons of Former NFL Stars

The trend of former NFL stars sending their sons to Notre Dame is catching on, as the Irish have landed commitments from three players for the class of 2026 whose dads played in the NFL. The first was linebacker Thomas Davis Jr.; his dad Thomas Davis Sr., played 15 seasons in the NFL.

Then, wide receiver Kaydon Finley committed to the Irish on July 4. Kaydon is the son of former Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley . Jermichael played six seasons in the NFL, all with the Packers.

The last of the commitments came on July 5, when wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald announced he would be attending Notre Dame. Devin’s dad, Larry Fitzgerald, is arguably one of the best wide receivers in both college football and NFL history.

The trust these former NFL stars have in the Notre Dame program is a testament to head coach Marcus Freeman. In just his third season manning the Irish sideline, Freeman led Notre Dame to three College Football Playoff wins before losing to Ohio State in the National Championship Game.

With that kind of success, it’s easy to see why these players are part of, or joining, the Notre Dame program. The development of the Irish players under Freeman is also an attraction. Sixteen Notre Dame players have been selected in the last three NFL drafts. Word of mouth should lead to more commitments from sons of former NFL players.

But according to Freeman, football development is not the only attraction. The connections made and the quality of the education received at Notre Dame are just as valuable as the on-field development.

Freeman spoke with JD Pickell of On3 Sports in April and had this to say when asked about the number of players who have dads that played in the NFL.

“You look at Burress and Urlacher and some of those guys and see the value of this university,” Freeman said. “The opportunity to develop as a football player, as well here as anywhere else in the country, but also the opportunity to get a degree that will truly take care of you beyond the game of football. I think a lot of those guys that have played in college and played in the NFL understand the value of this university, not only its football program, but the network and the people that you’re in contact with every day here at a place like this.”

Freeman went on to express that he is humbled by the choice that the former NFL stars made in sending their sons to Notre Dame.

“For those guys to trust the future of their sons with our football program is humbling, it means the world. But we've got to continue to make sure that we’re selling the right product not only just the development as a football player but the holistic approach to you as a human and you as a student.”