National Signing Day: Notre Dame football signs three 4-star NFL legacy recruits

The Notre Dame football program has added three NFL legacy recruits to its roster and another prospect with NFL ties.

On Wednesday’s National Signing Day, the Irish secured signatures from wide receivers Devin Fitzgerald (son of Larry Fitzgerald) and Kaydon Finley (son of Jermichael Finley) and linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. (son of Thomas Davis Sr.). They also signed safety Ayden Pouncey, who is a second cousin of Maurkice and Mike Pouncey. All four prospects are four-star recruits, per the Rivals Industry Ranking.

With the younger Fitzgerald, Finley, Davis and Pouncey in the fold, Notre Dame now has 11 players with NFL legacy connections on next year’s projected roster. All have been signed within the last three recruiting cycles.

In the 2024 class, the Irish added one NFL legacy prospect who remains on the roster in edge rusher Bryce Young (son of Bryant Young). They also signed safety Kennedy Urlacher (son of Brian Urlacher) that year, but he later transferred to USC and has since moved into the Trojans’ starting strong safety role.

In the 2025 class, that number ballooned to six: wide receivers Jerome Bettis Jr. (son of Jerome Bettis) and Elijah Burress (son of Plaxico Burress), safety JaDon Blair (son of Jay Blair), tight end James Flanigan (son of Jim Flanigan), linebacker Anthony Sacca (son of Tony Sacca) and defensive lineman Gordy Sulfsted (son of Alex Sulfsted).

In Marcus Freeman’s tenure, Notre Dame has also rostered four other sons of former NFL players: defensive back Jordan Clark (son of Ryan Clark), defensive lineman Howard Cross III (son of Howard Cross II), cornerback Benjamin Morrison (son of Darryl Morrison) and defensive end RJ Oben (son of Roman Oben).

The group Freeman and his staff just signed might be the strongest yet.

Finley could be the best of the bunch

Notre Dame had to outlast Finley’s other legacy connection to secure his verbal commitment on July 4. His father, Jermichael, was a national championship tight end for Texas, and the Longhorns heavily pursued Kaydon. However, the Rivals Industry Ranking’s No. 19 player in Texas and No. 22 wide receiver nationally ended up favoring Notre Dame.

Also the No. 145 overall prospect, Finley held offers from roughly two dozen other Power Four programs, but after six trips to South Bend before his decision, he wanted to call Notre Dame home.

Finley has flashed some of his father’s pass-catching traits at Aledo (Texas) High. This season, he hauled in 61 passes for 1,121 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games. Jermichael played six seasons for the Packers and won a Super Bowl in 2011.

Fitzgerald is developing at a rapid rate

Two years ago, Fitzgerald wasn’t viewed as a Notre Dame-caliber recruit. But after two standout high school seasons, the Phoenix Brophy College Prep product has become one of the most underrated prospects in the class.

Ranked by the Rivals Industry Ranking as the No. 58 wide receiver nationally and No. 4 prospect in Arizona, Fitzgerald had a phenomenal senior season. The Rivals Industry Ranking’s No. 364 overall player caught 82 passes for 1,230 yards and 15 touchdowns. He committed to the Irish the day after Finley on July 5. Clemson, Michigan, Florida State and North Carolina were among his other offers.

His father is arguably the most recognizable name among the now Notre Dame parents. Larry starred for the Arizona Cardinals for 17 seasons, finishing with more than 17,400 receiving yards in 263 career games. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler and is destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Davis is one of the class’s key defenders

It wasn’t long ago that Davis Sr. was delivering bone-jarring hits across the NFL for 15 seasons with the Panthers, Chargers and Commanders. His son brings some of the same traits.

The Rivals Industry Ranking’s No. 14 linebacker nationally and No. 13 prospect in North Carolina, Davis Jr. projects as an impact defender for Notre Dame. The No. 271 overall player has been a force throughout his prep career at Matthews (N.C.) Weddington, totaling 63 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 10 quarterback pressures and 14 pass breakups so far in his final high school season.

Georgia made things interesting after offering in the spring. Davis Sr. is a beloved figure in Athens and in the Bulldogs’ circle of honor. But TJ stayed firm in the commitment he made on Nov. 11, 2023. He chose the Irish over Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, LSU, Texas A&M, USC, Michigan, Penn State and others.

Pouncey has elite traits

In a defensive back class headlined by two five-stars, Khary Adams and Joey O’Brien, it could be easy to overlook what Pouncey added when he committed April 26. His senior season made that impossible.

The Rivals Industry Ranking’s No. 11 player in Florida and No. 8 safety — and the No. 76 overall prospect nationally — made major impacts for Winter Park (Fla.) High on both sides of the ball. On defense, he posted 54 tackles and 7 interceptions, five of which he returned for touchdowns. On offense, he added 35 receptions for 684 yards and 7 touchdowns.

At 6-2½ and 165 pounds, Pouncey is a standout athlete. He reportedly runs the 40-yard dash in the mid-10.4s and recorded a 6-1½ high jump. Holding off Florida, his second cousin’s alma mater, and also Miami, which pushed multiple times, makes his signing a significant recruiting win. He could turn out to be the best player in Notre Dame’s 2026 class.