Explore

 

Graduate safety Xavier Watts has followed up is remarkable 2023 season with a dominant 2024 run.

Watts was named a First-Team Midseason All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News, PFF, Athlon Sports, The Athletic and CBS Sports. He has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year, 2024 Bednarik Award, the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy.

A preseason First-Team All-American by Walter Camp and Sporting News, Watts also earned preseason second-team All-America honors from USA TODAY, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and The Athletic. Watts has earned selection to watch lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000.

Watts ranks third in the nation in total interceptions (5), fifth in the nation in interceptions per game (0.4), and 12th in the country in passes defended (1.2 per game). 

He is tied for the lead among all FBS safeties in total interceptions and passes defended per game, and tied for second among all FBS safeties in interceptions per game. 

Notre Dame leads the nation in turnovers with 28. Watts is responsible for six of those turnovers (five interceptions, one fumble recovery). The Irish have earned 141 points off of turnovers this season, compared to their opponents’ 34 total (+107 point differential). Four of Watts’ turnovers have resulted in Irish scores or scoring drives, totaling 20 points off Watts’ turnovers. 

Watts now has 12-career interceptions, the most by a Notre Dame player since 1996. He is the 19th Notre Dame player to intercept 10 or more passes in a career and is tied for eighth on the all-time list for career interceptions in program history.

The Irish have allowed one or fewer touchdowns on six occasions this season (four games with two TDs allowed, one with three). In three of those two-TD games, the second touchdown was scored late in the fourth quarter, once the game was already put away for the Irish.

The Irish defense is one of the most complete defenses in the country, ranking among the FBS’ top teams. Notre Dame is first in team passing efficiency defense (94.10), first in turnovers gained (28), first in defensive touchdowns (6), third in scoring defense (13.6), fourth in passing defense (157.9), fourth in interceptions (17), seventh in fumbles recovered (11), ninth in red zone defense (0.733), 10th in total defense (296.8) and 10th in first downs defense (197).

  • 2024 Team Captain
  • 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
  • 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist
  • 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
  • 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist
  • 2024 Associated Press Midseason All-America First Team
  • 2024 The Sporting News Midseason All-America
  • 2024 PFF Midseason All-America
  • 2024 Athlon Sports Midseason All-America
  • 2024 The Athletic Midseason All-America First Team
  • 2024 CBS Sports Midseason All-America First Team
  • 2024 Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Game – Louisville
  • 2024 Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Game –Texas A&M
  • 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
  • 2024 Nagurski Trophy Watch List
  • 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
  • 2024 Bednarik Award Watch List
  • 2023 Bronko Nagurski Award Winner (representing the best defensive player in the country)
  • 2023 Unanimous All-American
  • 2024 Associated Press Preseason All-American – First Team
  • 2024 Walter Camp Preseason All-American – First Team
  • 2024 Sporting News Preseason All-American – First Team
  • 2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-American – First Team
  • 2024 The Athletic Preseason All-American – First Team
  • 2024 USA Today Preseason All-American – Second Team
  • 2024 ESPN Preseason All-American – Second Team
  • 2023 FWAA All-American – First Team
  • 2023 Walter Came All-American – First Team
  • 2023 AP All-American – First Team
  • 2023 AFCA All-American – First Team
  • 2023 The Sporting News All-American – First Team
  • 2023 CBS Sports All-American – First Team
  • 2023 The Athletic All-American – First Team
  • 2023 USA Today All-American – First Team
  • 2023 Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2023 Jim Thorpe National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 30, 2023)
  • 2023 Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 30, 2023)
  • 2023 Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16, 2023)
  • 2023 Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16, 2023)
  • 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (Oct. 16, 2023)
  • 2023 Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Game – Pittsburgh
  • 2023 Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Game – Southern Cal

IN 2024:

  • Watts was named a First-Team Midseason All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News, PFF, Athlon Sports, The Athletic and CBS Sports. According to Pro Football Focus, he has not allowed a touchdown this season.
  • A preseason First-Team All-American by Walter Camp and Sporting News, Watts also earned preseason second-team All-America honors from USA TODAY, ESPN and The Athletic. Watts has earned selection to watch lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000.
  • at TEXAS A&M (8/31): Tallied three total tackles, two solo in the win… pulled in an interception – the eighth of his career – after starting at safety
  • NORTHERN ILLINOIS (9/7): Made the start on defense… led the team with eight tackles… six solo and two assisted
  • at PURDUE (9/15): Started for the Irish on defense… collected a tackle
  • MIAMI UNIVERSITY (9/22): Started on defense… collected three solo tackles in the win… forced a fumble… had two pass breakups
  • LOUISVILLE (9/28): Started and had a huge role on defense for the Irish in the victory… collected three tackles… pulled in an interception with a 34-yard return… had two pass breakups… registered a quarterback hurry on fourth down in the third quarter to force Louisville into a turnover on downs
  • STANFORD (10/12): Started for the Irish on defense… collected three tackles – two assisted, one solo… registered a quarterback hurry on fourth down to help the defense into forcing Stanford into a turnover on downs
  • at GEORGIA TECH (10/19): Started at safety… pulled in tenth career interception to become 19th player in program history with 10 career INTs… added a pass breakup… tallied four tackles – two solo and two assisted
  • at NAVY (10/26): Started at safety, posting five tackles, a pass breakup and a QB hurry, including two third-down stops. The Irish limited Navy to just 88 yards in the air.
  • FLORIDA STATE (11/9): Started at safety and posted four tackles (three solo), including a tackle for loss (-2 yards). The Irish limited FSU to just three points, 88 yards in the air and 120 yards on the ground. The Irish have the No. 2-ranked defense in passing yards allowed (148.6) per game and team passing efficiency defense (91.54).
  • VIRGINIA (11/16): Started on defense for the Irish… posted his 11th-career interception – his fourth of the season – recovered a fumble, notched a pass breakup… added three tackles on the day
  • ARMY (11/23): Started on defense… posted three tackles..  Irish defense held Navy to just 26 passing yards
  • at USC (11/30): Started on defense… led the Irish in tackles with nine… snagged a 100-yard pick-six to seal the win.

GAME SPOTLIGHT: 11/16/24  VS. VIRGINIA

  • Watts performed as one of the nation’s top defensive players in Notre Dame’s 49-35 win at USC. Watts led the team in tackles with 9, but his play of the game came on a victory-sealing 100-yard pick six in the final minutes. He also added a QB hurry.
  • Watts’ return was the longest interception return in Notre Dame history; just five FBS players have achieved the feat this season, and Watts is the first to do so since September.
  • On the day, Watts posted a third-down stop and two fourth-down stops. Notre Dame ranks seventh in the nation in both third and fourth down defense. Both of his fourth-down stops led to Irish points. His first fourth-down stop led to an Irish touchdown drive to put Notre Dame up 35-21 in the third quarter, and his second fourth-down stop came on his interception, which thwarted any USC hope of a comeback victory and gave the Irish a 49-35 lead.

GAME SPOTLIGHT: 11/30/24 at USC

  • Watts shone in a dominant performance, leading the Irish to a 35-14 win over Virginia on senior day. Watts posted his 11th-career interception – his fourth of the season – recovered a fumble, notched a pass breakup and added three tackles on the day.
  • Watts, who posted three third-down stops in the game, led an Irish defense that now ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency defense (88.89) and turnovers gained (25). Watts himself has been responsible for five forced turnovers this season. 
  • Watts posted two third-down stops in the first quarter, one with a tackle on a quarterback rush, and one on a pass breakup as he baited the quarterback into throwing a pass his way, and batting it down to force a Virginia punt. 
  • Both of his forced turnovers came in a monster second quarter for the Irish. His fumble recovery led to a Notre Dame touchdown drive when the Irish went up 14-0. His interception came on Virginia’s final drive of the half, as he snagged a pass on third down to give the Irish possession to end the half. 

GAME SPOTLIGHT: 9/28/24  VS. LOUISVILLE

  • Watts was a game changer as led one of the best secondaries in the nation in the 31-24 win over No. 15 Louisville. He posted his second interception of the season, with two pass breakups, a QB hurry and three tackles in several key situations, including the game-sealing pass breakup.
  • Five of Watts’ disruptions came on third or fourth down (two on third, three on fourth). A second quarter PBU forced a Louisville punt, while Watts returned an interception later in the quarter for 34 yards, setting up a Notre Dame field goal. The interception marked the first pick thrown by Louisville QB Tyler Shough all season. Then, at the end of the half, Watts stymied a last-ditch effort by the Cardinals on fourth-and-1 with a tackle for no gain to end the half.
  • In the third quarter, Watts notched his QB hurry on fourth-and-2, forcing an incomplete pass. On Louisville’s last offensive effort of the game, with the Irish ahead by a touchdown, Watts broke up a downfield pass attempt on fourth down to seal the game for the Irish, as the offense took a knee to run out the clock.

IN 2023:

  • Watts completed a remarkable season in 2023, winning the Bronko Nagurski trophy as the best defensive player in college football.
  • Led the nation with seven interceptions, averaging an interception every other game
  • Played and started in all 13 games during the season
  • Finished with 52 tackles, 30 solo, three tackles for loss and 0.5 sack, adding four pass breakups
  • Forced a fumble and recovered a fumble, returning it for a touchdown
  • Watts’ seven interceptions led to 33 total Notre Dame points on the subsequent drives.
  • Off his consecutive two-interception games vs. Pitt and USC, Watts was the first Notre Dame defender to pick off two passes in back-to-back games since at least 1996. He was one of three FBS players to achieve two multi-INT games this season, and the only to do so in consecutive games.
  • Notre Dame finished the season ranked fifth in FBS for total defense (276.3), the program’s best effort since 1980 (4th). The Irish also led the nation in pass efficiency defense (97.09).
  • NAVY (8/26): Recorded four tackles, two solo in his season debut in Dublin, Ireland as a starting safety
  • TENNESSEE STATE (9/2): Finished with a pair of solo tackles … Added one pass breakup
  • at NORTH CAROLINA STATE (9/9): Recorded his first career interception in the fourth quarter to set up an Irish score … Finished with three tackles, one solo
  • CENTRAL MICHIGAN (9/16): Added five tackles, two solo in the win … broke up one pass
  • OHIO STATE (9/23): Recorded five tackles, four solo
  • at DUKE (9/30): Intercepted his second pass of the season and returned it 12 yards late in the first quarter to set up a field goal … Recorded eight tackles, two solo … Added a half tackle for loss
  • at LOUISVILLE (10/7): Finished with two tackles, one solo … Added a tackle for a one-yard loss
  • at CLEMSON (11/4): Recorded his seventh interception of the season, fifth in the past three games on Clemson’s opening drive of the second half … The 33-yard interception return set up a touchdown one a one-yard drive … Finished with three solo tackles
  • WAKE FOREST (11/18): Notched two tackles and recovered a blocked Wake Forest field goal attempt, returning it 19 yards.
  • at STANFORD (11/25): Posted three tackles in the 56-23 win

GAME SPOTLIGHT: 10/14/23  VS. USC

  • Xavier Watts was in a class all his own in the dominant 48-20 win over No. 10 USC, leading the nation as the only FBS player that weekend with both a fumble return for a touchdown and two interceptions. Watts made seven tackles on the night, tacking on a forced fumble and a pass breakup, and tallying 61 return yards on interception returns and 15 yards on his fumble return for a TD.
  • Watts is the only player ever to individually intercept USC’s Caleb Williams twice in one game in Williams’ entire college career.
  • Just two other FBS players snagged two interceptions on the weekend, and Watts’ 61 return yards on his picks outpaced both (Davon Ferguson of Bowling Green, two picks for 0 return yards; Kobe Savage of Kansas State, two picks for 7 return yards).
  • Emerging as one of the most explosive defensive backs in the FBS, Watts played a key role on three of Notre Dame’s six touchdowns on Saturday. Both of Watts’ interceptions resulted in Notre Dame touchdowns in the subsequent three plays or less. Watts’ first interception came on USC’s game-opening drive, setting the tone for the performance to follow. His 38-yard return to the USC 12 set the stage for a Notre Dame touchdown to start off the scoring, while his next pick came in the second quarter, which he returned 23 yards to the USC 2. On the play immediately following, Notre Dame ran the ball for a touchdown.
  • Then, in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame forced a USC fumble, and Watts scooped it up, returning it 15 yards for another Irish touchdown, putting Notre Dame up 48-20. On USC’s drive immediately following, Watts continued to dominate, forcing a fumble and giving the Irish possession to close out the game.
  • Watts and the Irish defense held USC to just 20 points Saturday, a team that led the nation in scoring offense entering the game with 51.8 PPG. USC also ranked third in the nation in passing offense (355.2) entering the game, but Notre Dame held the Trojans to only 199 passing yards.
  • Notre Dame’s 48 points vs. No. 10 USC were its fourth-most against an AP Top-10 opponent since at least 1936.

GAME SPOTLIGHT: 10/28/23 VS. PITT

  • Watts again put on a show in the secondary for Notre Dame, snagging two interceptions (31 return yards) and adding three tackles, one for loss, in the dominant 58-7 win over Pitt.
  • Pitt entered the game averaging 320.9 yards of total offense per game, while Notre Dame held the Panthers to just 255 yards. Additionally, leading up to Saturday’s game, Pitt had only thrown five interceptions this season, while the Irish snagged four total interceptions from Pitt, as Irish teammates Christian Gray and Jaden Mickey added one each to Watts’ two.