Kaydon Finley is no stranger to expectations.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder starred for Texas powerhouse Aledo, where he put his name with some of the best to come out of the program as he tallied 3,334 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns over the last three seasons.
Aledo’s lofty expectations helped prepare him to enroll early at Notre Dame and embrace an even higher standard.
“Aledo is somewhat like Notre Dame,” Finley stated. “Workouts are just as hard. The standard is really, really high in Aledo. I was on the phone with my coach yesterday and I was just telling him that Aledo prepared me for Notre Dame.
“I feel like God put me in Aledo to ultimately come here. I think this is the best decision and God's plan for me.”
Finley’s bar has always been elevated. His father, Jermichael Finley, starred at tight end for the Green Bay Packers and helped lead Green Bay to a victory in Super Bowl XLV.
“My dad was a dog,” said Finley. “One day, I hope to be better than him. I look up to my father and the way he played on the field, and replicate that mindset and attitude every time I go on the field. Just to go and hit somebody, catch the ball, hit somebody, get upfield and score a touchdown.
“Ultimately, to provide for my family. Looking at my dad, I’m very blessed that he’s my father and I’m hoping to be better than him one day.”
Wide receivers coach Mike Brown has penciled Finley into the slot to begin spring ball, a role the freshman welcomes.
“Right now, I play slot receiver. We’re going to see how that turns out. I feel like I can use my size, my physicality on the inside. I can block, chip the edge, block the linebackers, get the safeties, any of that. I feel like I can get open against press coverage, man coverage.”
Physicality and route running are two areas Finley takes great pride in, but he’s also looking to prove the playmaking he showed in high school translates to big-time college football.
“I really describe my game as physical,” Finley stated. “I’m a physical player. I can go attack the ball. I have smooth route running. I have great hands. I feel like I can go attack the ball. 50-50 balls I can get. Get open in man coverage, zone coverage, really anything. I think a big thing in my game is playing physical and fearless.”
With Finley starting in the slot, he’ll have the chance to learn from one of the most decorated receivers to ever play high school football in Texas.
“Growing up in Texas, everyone knew who Jaden Greathouse was,” explained Finley. “He’s a great guy. I talked to him on my official visit. I was just picking his brain and what about this place made pick here. Ultimately, just hanging around him and talking to him, cracking jokes with him, it was just like I really want to be under this guy’s wing for a little bit. I want to pick his brain this spring and be able to replicate what he does on the field.”
Spring ball might not start for another month and while he’s only been on campus for about two months, Finley has noticed the talents of quarterback CJ Carr.
“Oh my gosh,” smiled Finley. “It's a lot different. My high school quarterback was great. Lincoln Tubbs is going to Air Force, but catching the ball from CJ Carr, it's like a dream.
“You have an amazing top-tier quarterback throwing you the ball. You get to learn from him. You get to come catch routes with him, pick his brain a little bit, watch some film with him. It’s a true blessing.”
Off the field, Finley takes great pride in choosing Notre Dame.
“I have never been to a place like Notre Dame,” Finley said. “The first time on campus, it’s very eye-opening. It’s amazing to be here. I just can’t wait to tell people I’m at Notre Dame. It’s just going to be crazy.”
Finley chose Notre Dame because of its track record for development on the field and the opportunities available to him after football.
“Coach (Marcus) Freeman, Coach Brown, they’re great coaches and I feel they can develop me into the player I want to be on the field here at Notre Dame,” Finley explained. “Ultimately, my biggest goal is to make it to the NFL. I think these are the right guys go do it. The people and the class around me, the team, the connections and the bond is stronger than I’ve ever seen. It was kind of similar to my high school and how we bonded outside of practices.
“Also, the education here at Notre Dame is at the top compared to all the other programs. Notre Dame has all of it in one.”
If everything lines up, Finley’s freshman season could begin with a surreal chapter with Notre Dame opening at Lambeau Field, the same stadium where his father built his NFL career.
“I remember someone on the staff told me that if you were to come here, your first year, you’ll be playing in Lambeau Field,” said Finley. “That was a full-circle moment because I remember growing up, from a newborn until seven-year-old, Lambeau is the Big House. That’s where my pops played at and that’s where I ultimately one day dreamed of playing in, playing for the Packers or against the Packers. It’s just a full-circle moment that feels great.”
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