Fourth of July Recruiting Boom: Three-Star Explosions
On July 4, Kaydon Finley—standing 6’0″, 200 lbs, and the son of former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley—made a dramatic commitment to Notre Dame amid heavy competition from Texas, Florida, Texas A&M, and Arizona State
Skills & Projection:
- A multi-sport standout in football, basketball, and track.
- Excelled in route running, contested catches, and toughness after the catch—earning praise for “physical pass-catching and RAC (run‑after‑catch) ability”
- Projects as a short-to-intermediate chain mover, with outside or slot versatility. Could even be used in wildcat setups due to his build and power (One Foot Down).
Recruiting Fallout:
- Marked Notre Dame’s 23rd commitment in the 2026 class, their third from Texas—a key talent pipeline (One Foot Down).
- Swung Notre Dame back into No. 3 in the 247 composite rankings—a spot they’ve held firmly through early July (One Foot Down).
Anticipation:
News outlets flagged a high‑profile commitment coming July 5 (WNDU). As the son of Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald, Devin carried both pedigree and expectations.
Recruitment Status:
- Finalists included Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, and Clemson—with ND being a strong frontrunner (WNDU).
- Featured in social media teases: his tweet “July 5th” sparked optimism (Yardbarker).
Impact:
Landing Fitzgerald would add another high-upside receiver and fortify Notre Dame’s image of re-establishing itself as a destination where worthy WR bloodlines thrive.
July 6 – Key Day:
Following Independence Day commitments, Robinson’s decision stood out. Though he finalized on July 6, he faced choice among Notre Dame, Miami, and Arizona—knocking out Texas early (WNDU).
Why It’s Important:
- Reinforces ND’s sustained push in Texas beyond traditional Southern California and Midwest footprints.
- Adds another high-caliber wideout who could help relieve future portal dependency.
| DT | Florida (One Foot Down, One Foot Down) |
This sequence reflects an aggressive upper-end strategy to staff Plan A players—top talent capable of early impact. Regardless of final rankings (which remain around No. 3), the program’s strength lies in the quality of recruits
- Notre Dame’s 2026 class is already at 22–23 commits, with multiple blue-chip offerings.
- Positions of need—especially wide receiver—are being structurally filled, reducing reliance on portal acquisitions.
- Three commits from Texas highlight ND’s rebuilt pipeline there—historically a powerhouse region for WR and front seven talent.
- Kaydon, Brayden, and possibly others enhance their reach amid regional recruiting wars.
- Hits like Finley and Fitzgerald show ND’s focus on “student‑athlete” mindset—character, academic rigor, and selflessness Reddit).
- Freeman is successfully selling the balance of Notre Dame’s tradition with modern-day elite-player development.
- There’s been a historical critique: Notre Dame “doesn’t throw” and underutilizes high-end WRs (
- Recent seasons and improved QB play signal a shift—one that elite recruits are watching carefully.
- Meanwhile, foundational commitments like 5-star EDGE Rodney Dunham (NC), safety Joey O’Brien (PA), and OT Will Black (Connecticut/Canada) reflect geographical breadth in ND’s strategy
- These underpin a roster that’s not only talented but structurally deep.
Safety priority—with Jake Stroman and Adon Shuler currently anchoring, Reddish adds crucial depth (One Foot Down).
Adds to the interior D-line, strengthening Notre Dame’s ability to control the LOS and rotate fresh legs.
With two more days of WR commitments and later position additions, Notre Dame is sculpting a comprehensive class strong across both sides of the ball.
From the ND fan subreddit:
Despite traditional concerns the program faces (“Notre Dame is where WRs go to die” (Reddit)), the tone is shifting—players see competitive passing schemes and QB improvement that make ND a real option.
While these recruits arrive in 2026, their impact by 2027–28 could be massive—augmented by the roster’s current senior core (Rubio, Price, Minchey, Wagner, Bauman) (One Foot Down).
For 2025, a potent offense—bolstered by these WR focus‑shift wave—combined with a fortified defense, spells tough road matchups and bowl-game potential.
Notre Dame’s July haul reflects:
- A targeted WR revival, reclaiming territory at the position with multiple quality commits.
- Geographical diversification, leveraging Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and beyond.
- A coaching narrative centered on balanced excellence—both on the field and in the classroom.
Even if the class stays ranked around No. 3, the talent caliber and structural depth have surged. For Fighting Irish fans, it’s been an Independence Weekend to celebrate.
Summary Bullet Points:
- Kaydon Finley (4★, TX): physical, multi‑sport collector; major ND win Devin Fitzgerald (3★, AZ): high-profile legacy; decision on July 5
- Brayden Robinson (4★, TX): adds Texas momentum; decision on July 6 (Waiting on Nick Reddish (S) and Elijah Golden (DT) later in JulyStrategic depth-building across WR, D-line, and secondary.
- Fan energy is optimistic, seeing structural improvement and cultural alignment .
- The class’s depth and elite talent point toward a powerful 2027‑28 core.
