Notre Dame football has chance to separate themselves for priority WR this weekend, and spoil a family legacy

There is no bigger priority in 2026 wide receiver recruiting than Aledo (Texas) High School star pass catcher Kaydon Finley. From very early on in the process, Notre Dame has valued Finley and his skill set in a big way. He’s a player they desperately need in the class, especially with the struggles wide receiver recruiting has had recently.

Finley is no stranger to South Bend, having taken multiple visits to the campus in the past. The Fighting Irish staff will be getting a return trip from Finley this weekend, which could end up being a big one. Notre Dame has a chance to separate themselves for the Texas product.

As a junior in 2024, Finley put together a fantastic season. In 14 games, Finley managed to haul in 81 receptions for 1,432 yards and 21 touchdowns. That’s an average of 17.7 yards per catch, showcasing the big play ability that Finley brings to the table on top of his well-rounded game. Finley had nine games where he went for over 100 yards this past season, showcasing consistency.

From a recruiting rankings perspective, Finley is considered to be a four-star player by every major recruiting platform. He is currently rated as the No. 101 overall player and No. 14 wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite ranking. That ranking also has Finley pegged as the No. 14 overall player in the talent-rich state of Texas.

Notre Dame is battling against some of the top programs in the country for Finley currently. Some of his biggest offers include the Fighting Irish, Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Miami, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Penn State, and Auburn among many, many others.

Like Jaden Greathouse in the 2023 recruiting class, some will overlook Finley due to just average speed. We can not downplay this potential landing, especially since Finley is a Texas legacy. His father, Jeremichael Finley, was a tremendous player for the Longhorns in the early 2000s.

Notre Dame is currently battling Texas for his services. Some view the Irish as the leader, and they have a chance to make a statement after this upcoming visit.