New coach Aaron Henry and top freshmen discuss immediate impact and championship dreams as spring practice ignites Notre Dame's 2026 season.
We are one day closer to spring practices kicking off in South Bend and today, we got to here from new defensive backs coach Aaron Henry and a host of the incoming freshman including offensive lineman Sullivan Garvin and wide receiver Kaydon Finley. Henry took over for defensive backs coach Mike Mickens earlier this offseason after Mickens departed for a job with the Baltimore Ravens. Henry was formerly Illinois' defensive coordinator and had a lot of success during his time in Champaign.
Finley and Garvin are just one of many early-enrollee incoming freshman who will be working out and practicing with the spring. They're a part of the highest ranked recruiting class Notre Dame has had in quite some time. This is truly a special group of guys, and we got to hear from them the first time in today's press conference. Every true freshman already drinking from a fire hose, but they're finding their footing and ready to contribute this spring.
You can watch the entire press conference here:
Here are some of the main quotes from today's press conference:
Aaron Henry On What Intrigued Him About Notre Dame
"I'm always talking about growth and development in my career just as a coach," Henry explained. "Me and Coach [Chris] Ash probably talk once or twice a week just throughout my being a play-caller. We spoke pretty frequently, and it kind of just happened, to be honest with you. Then you talk to Marcus Freeman; I already knew Chris Ash, but you talk to Marcus Freeman, and it's like, okay, wow. I could see why this dude's had a lot of success at the age he's at, as a play-caller and as a head coach. That sealed the deal.”
Sullivan Garvin On His Goals During The Spring
"Physically, I want to get as strong as possible," Garvin stated. "Right now we're in the weight room, we're doing heavy singles on our power clean bench and squat. Yesterday, I power-cleaned 315. I think tomorrow we bench, and then Friday we squat. Physically for the spring, honestly, I just want to contribute any way I can to this team, help the guys, whether that's on scout team or really just giving the guys the best look that I can give them."
Kaydon Finley On Game One Being At Lambeau Field
"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," Finley explained. "So 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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