Notre Dame is stacking future talent with familiar NFL last names

For some Notre Dame fans, to see names like Fitzgerald, Davis, and Finley, they are probably thinking of Larry Fitzgerald, Thomas Davis, and Jermichael Finley, but now they need to learnt he names of their sons. All three former NFL stars now have one thing in common: their sons have all committed to Notre Dame in the Class of 2026.

On July 5, Notre Dame received their third commitment from a son of a former NFL star, with Devin Fitzgerald officially choosing the Fighting Irish after being predicted to attend the school for weeks. On the Fourth of July, Notre Dame landed Kaydon Finley, and back in May, the Fighting Irish landed Thomas Davis Jr., all three players rated as 4-star recruits.

With these three commitments, Notre Dame has now become a pipeline for the kids of former NFL stars, making South Bend the place to be for these players. While all three of these players still need to prove themselves and won't make it by just with the names on their backs, the fact that Freeman is bringing in this level of talent is very impressive and could bring in even more big NFL names.

Notre Dame has landed three sons of former NFL stars

Devin Fitzgerald's father, Larry Fitzgerald, was one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play in the NFL, just recently ending his professional career in 2022, even though he never officially announced it. Fitzgerald spent 17 years in the NFL, all with the Arizona Cardinals, and while Fitzgerald is known as one of the greatest receivers in the game, he was never able to win a Super Bowl.

Now his son Devin will be able to prove what talent his father passed down to him and any skills he has learned with Notre Dame when he steps on campus in 2026.

Kaydon Finley set off fireworks with his Notre Dame commitment on the Fourth of July. Finley is the son of Jermichael Finley, a famous tight end in the NFL for six years, all with the Green Bay Packers. Although the older Finley went to Texas, his son has chosen the Fighting Irish for his college career.

Thomas Davis Jr., the son of Thomas Davis Sr., was the first son of a former NFL star to commit to Notre Dame, and Davis Jr. has been a great recruiter for Notre Dame since committing. His father was Davis Sr., who spent 15 years in the NFL, 13 of them with the Carolina Panthers, a season with the Los Angeles Chargers, and his final season with the Washington Commanders before retiring after the 2020 season.

Davis Jr. will step on campus as a top-ranked linebacker in the Class of 2026, hopefully following in his father's footsteps.