2026 WR Kaydon Finley Talks Notre Dame Return

Kaydon Finley‍ had been waiting to get back to Notre Dame since his first trip back in April.

This past weekend, the 2026 Texas receiver made his return to South Bend for the Irish’s game against Louisville.

“It went really well,” the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder said. “I liked the game atmosphere. It was really cool to finally get there to see the atmosphere and how they play in that stadium.”

The Aledo High School star had trouble pointing to the most impressive part of the atmosphere.

“Just everything,” he said. “How the fans interact with the players and how the players react to the hype and the noise in the stadium.”

Finley has dozens of offers from schools like Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Georgia and Tennessee among several others. He was also impressed with the Irish during their 31-24 win over the Cardinals.

“I thought it was a really good game,” he said. “I thought it was one of the best games I've went to. I thought the offense played really well and I thought the defense played exceptionally well also.

“I thought that (the receivers) played great on third downs. (Jordan) Faison played really good, #6, he played great. I think the offense could really help me as a receiver and I think that I could come in and help the offense out.”

While in town, Finley had the chance to speak with Notre Dame head coach I talked to Coach Brown and Coach Freeman before the game.

“They just said they were glad to finally have me out to see a game and all that,” he said. “I was glad that I finally got to see them again in person. We've been talking over the phone, but it was great to have a face-to-face conversation.

“I just like how they interact with their players, how real they are and all that and how Coach Freeman's a great coach.”

Finley didn’t get a ton of time to speak with any of the other recruits or players in town, but has been in contact with 2026 Notre Dame quarterback commit Noah Grubbs‍ and thinks he’d fit in well within the program.

“I think me and the quarterback could be a good duo,” he said. “They also have a '26 receiver commit (Dylan Faison‍) so I think if I were to come here, we would be a great combo here.”

Finley is set to check out Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma later this fall, but wants to return to South Bend in the future as well.

“I'm hoping to get back. My season's pretty full already, but I'm hoping to get back sometime after the season,” he said. 

“I for sure think that they'll play a factor in the end. I'm going to keep the relationship I have with them very, very close.”

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