Head coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame program is coming off arguably its biggest recruiting weekend of the year so far. The Fighting Irish staff were hosts to a long list of impressive official visitors, and there were several key targets that have been viewed as the missing pieces for a potentially elite 2026 recruiting class. There was a lot on the line. 

With so many players to track, and Intel to gather, I had to break up the Intel into two pieces (keep an eye out for a Part Two coming very soon). As is always the case, the visit went great. When was the last time a visit didn’t go well? The better question is, just how well? 

Here is the latest intel for some of the 2026 biggest targets that were in South Bend this past weekend. 

ATH Joey O’Brien – Glenside (Pa.) La Salle College 

There is nothing but good vibes from the O’Brien camp following the return trip. With the 6-4, 190-pound athlete set to make his commitment on June 20th, knocking this visit out of the park was very important, and they did just that. We have seen how important these visits have been for O’Brien, and that lasting impact should go a long way. 

As it currently stands, I like Notre Dame for the dynamic five-star athlete. If he made the decision right this second, I think he picks the Fighting Irish. My only hesitation is Oregon upping their NIL offer down the stretch here. With safety target Jireh Edwards trending toward the SEC (most likely Alabama or Georgia), I have been told that the program had the intention of dropping the bag to land O’Brien. 

Either way, I think that this is going to be Notre Dame or Oregon. I give the edge to the former, for now. The Irish are going to have to be ready to fight all the way to National Signing Day. Other programs are not going to go away, even if O’Brien does commit to Notre Dame on the 20th. 

NOTE: I am not feeling as good about offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh, O’Brien’s teammate. Check out the next update for that intel. 

WR Kaydon Finley – Aledo (Texas) High School

There is no questioning who the biggest wide receiver target on the board is for the Irish. Notre Dame has had another frustrating wide receiver run so far this 2026 class, and they really need to close on the Texas star. Finley is as much of a “can’t miss recruit” as you are going to find on the board. 

With Finley having already set a commitment date for July 4th, these last couple of official visits are going to be very, very important coming down the stretch. Heading into the visit, this was a Notre Dame versus Texas battle with Texas A&M running third. I do think that Finley really likes the Fighting Irish, but would it be enough to get the legacy recruit away from the Longhorns?

I leave the visit feeling good about where things stand with Finley, but I’m still not ready to buy fully in. He has one more remaining official visit, and it’s to head down to Austin, Texas. While there has been an openness to come to Notre Dame, that pull to stay in the home state at his father’s Alma matter has been very real. 

The Notre Dame staff did everything they could to close the deal this weekend, but the final impact of that Texas visit will tell the full story. Let’s hope it was enough to seal the deal because Finley is the wide receiver this program needs more of. 

CB Khary Adams – Towson (Md.) Loyola Blakefield 

There is no sugarcoating or talking in code about this one, Notre Dame knocked the visit with Adams out of the park. Heading into the visit, I loved where the Irish were, and that lead has lengthened after this trip. This is Notre Dame’s recruitment to lose right now.

Following the visit, there is some chatter about Adams potentially cancelling his Oregon official visit next weekend. I have no idea if that is true or not, but I don’t think it ends up mattering if he makes that visit or not. This has been a Notre Dame-Penn State battle for a while now, and that’s what it feels like it’ll be in the end. I have the Irish coming out on top of that battle as well. 

With how important the visits were for O’Brien and Finley, not enough people have given attention to Adams. A top 40 overall recruit by multiple platforms, Adams would be the highest ranked cornerback recruit that Mike Mickens may end up signing. He’s an elite talent with five-star potential when all is said and done. 

Notre Dame really outdid themselves on this particular visit. 

Notre Dame legacy has been putting up unreal numbers this offseason, and the Fighting Irish have been taking notice

Notre Dame legacy looks like an early favorite in the 2027 recruiting class