Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with players at the end of the game against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Social Media Erupts After Notre Dame Lands Wide Receiver Jaydon Finley

Originally posted on Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI
By Nick Shepkowski | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 1:30 AM ET

Notre Dame football spent the majority of June on the recruiting trail, and it didn't take long for that to resume in July.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, wide receivers coach Mike Brown, and the rest of the Fighting Irish football staff shot off fireworks of their own Friday night when four-star wide receiver Jaydon Finley of Aledo, Texas made his commitment to the Fighting Irish official.

Finley, the son of former Green Bay Packers standout tight end Jermichael Finley, chose Notre Dame over Texas while having offers from several big-time Group of Four programs. He's ranked as the 110th player overall in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports composite rankings, while he checked in as the 14th overall wide receiver.

As you would expect, social media celebrated a huge recruiting win for Notre Dame in what might be another special run that the Irish are about to go on. See the best social media posts to X following the news below.

Finley Commits to Notre Dame, Teases Texas

The moment @KaydonFinley announced his Notre Dame commitment ⤵️☘️https://t.co/ei1TBodhjP pic.twitter.com/YiAQXaWFqc
— Mike Singer (@MikeTSinger) July 5, 2025

"Let's Bring a Natty Home!"

BREAKING: Four-Star WR Kaydon Finley has Committed to Notre Dame, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’2 200 WR from Aledo, TX chose the Fighting Irish over Texas, Texas A&M, and Arizona State

“Let’s bring a NATTY home IRISH nation ☘️”https://t.co/dYb2qobsEH pic.twitter.com/1AnOy9O1th
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 5, 2025

Veteran Recruiting Reporter Offers Promising Scouting Report

Another massive catch for the fighting Irish landing WR Kaydon Finley 6’2” 200 Aledo HS,TX. Runs a 10.7 100 m and as an exceptional all-around athlete basketball and track. Wide catch range, quick twitch athlete with the speed to take the top off the defense. Shows 5* ability. pic.twitter.com/d0w8jFMtx1
— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) July 5, 2025

Huge Wide Receiver Recruiting Win for Notre Dame

Kaydon Finley is Notre Dame’s biggest recruiting win in quite some time at WR.

He was Texas’ number one WR target left in the 2026 class.

He’s an in-state kid for Texas whose father Jermichael Finley starred for the Longhorns.

Big kudos to Mike Brown for the recruiting win.
— Notre Dame Recruiting (@NDrecruiting01) July 5, 2025

Notre Dame Wide Receivers Coach Mike Brown

Happy 4th! pic.twitter.com/VOGjiNLNtr
— Mike Brown (@Im_MikeB) July 5, 2025

Notre Dame Director of Recruiting Carter Auman

☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/PmNxsd6Hn9
— Carter Auman (@CarterAuman) July 5, 2025

Notre Dame Feels Like Family

Blue-chip WR Kaydon Finley to Rivals on his commitment to Notre Dame: “It was just a different vibe than all my other official visits. The time spent around Coach Freeman and Coach (Mike) Brown … They just feel like family.” https://t.co/uuxzT3QYRJ
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) July 5, 2025

Big-Time for Notre Dame

BREAKING ☘️#NotreDame lands 2026 four-star WR Kaydon Finley!

Finley chose the Fighting Irish over Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Arizona State and more. pic.twitter.com/CyRjmKpH1o
— Mason (@MasonPlummer_) July 5, 2025

Notre Dame Jumps USC in One Rankings Outlet

Using On3's rankings, Notre Dame has passed USC for the No. 2 class in the country after Kaydon Finley's commitment.

Georgia is just barely ahead of the Irish's impressive class.

pic.twitter.com/iwLhwO0ZYT
— Mike Singer (@MikeTSinger) July 5, 2025