2026 WR Kaydon Finley Expects To Return To Notre Dame

Kaydon Finley‍ didn’t make it to Notre Dame’s Grill And Chill last month, but the 2026 Texas receiver does plan on returning to South Bend soon. 

“Yessir, for a game this fall,” says Finley.

The Aledo High School standout was in town for a spring practice in April and is eager to see more of Notre Dame when he returns.

“Really just the game day environment up there in South Bend,” he says. “That's pretty much it because I've already talked to Coach (Marcus) Freeman recently.”

Finley has offers from schools like Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Oklahoma, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA, Washington and Oregon among several others.

He’s kept in touch with Freeman and Notre Dame receivers coach Mike Brown.

“We talk on a weekly basis,” Finley says. “The message is just that I really need to get up there for a fall game and just get to see what the environment's like up there.”

Finley does have one trip planned already, to see the Irish play Texas A&M in College Station for the season-opener.

“I'll really be watching both teams, so I'll be paying attention,” he says.

He isn’t sure when he’ll get back to South Bend or any other schools for that matter.

“I'm just going to get there whenever it's convenient for me, whenever I have a bye week or something like that,” he says. 

Finley credits Freeman and Brown with keeping his interest in the Irish.

“Really just the coaching staff,” he says. “I love Coach Freeman, Coach Brown, and how they coach and teach their players.”

Aledo started preseason camp up earlier this week and Finley has high expectations for himself.

“I think it's going to be my breakout year. I'm going for 1K-plus this year.”

Under Armour Kelly Green Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sideline Knockout Hoodie Long Sleeve