After spending most of June on an incredible heater, Notre Dame football saw even more recruiting fireworks on the Fourth of July. The Fighting Irish kicked off what could be three commitments in three days by nabbing the first of a talented trio in wide receiver Kaydon Finley.
The 4-star wide receiver out of Texas announced on his personal Instagram account that he'd picked Marcus Freeman and company over several Power 4 suitors. The teams competing for his affections included the home-state Texas Longhorns.
It had looked as though Notre Dame football would land Finley for a couple of weeks, but now, it's official. It's possible that even the day the wide receiver decided to announce his commitment should have been a massive clue. The talented prospect chose Independence Day to announce to the world that he was spending his college days at the most powerful Independent program in the country.
Notre Dame football lands 4-star WR Kaydon Finley to open July fireworks
Just how completely did the Irish win this battle? Days ahead of Kaydon Finley's announcement, even Longhorn recruiting analysts waved the white flag. Several experts predicted the SEC power would have to move onto other targets because the No. 18 player at his position in the class was headed to South Bend.
As has been the case with most recruits in this day and age, there was at least a few seconds of wondering if there had been a last-second switch. When he went to pick up the hat on the table to represent the program he'd attend, he first grabbed the Longhorns cap.
However, he quickly made sure to show that it was nothing more than a misdirect. He threw the hat away and grabbed the Notre Dame cap instead. And with that, the Irish had the first of what could be three commitments over the Fourth of July weekend.
On Saturday, another wide receiver in Devin Fitzgerald, NFL great Larry Fitzgerald's son will pick his program. And then 4-star defensive back Brayden Robinsin makes his pledge on Sunday, July 6. Could the Notre Dame football team go three-for-three? It seems very, very likely.