Graduate safety Xavier Watts has again been named to The Sporting News All-America First Team, while graduate defensive lineman Rylie Mills earned selection to The Sporting News All-America Second Team.
Watts is the first Notre Dame player to be honored as a First Team All-American by The Sporting News in consecutive seasons since defensive back Bobby Taylor in 1993 and 1994.
The Irish defense is one of the most complete defenses in the country, ranking among the FBS’ top teams. At the end of the regular season, Notre Dame was 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 yards allowed (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).
Watts, a Notre Dame team captain, has been named an Associated Press, AFCA and Walter Camp First-Team All-American, all three for the second-consecutive season. He was named to the 2024 FWAA All-American Second Team.
Watts has also been named a First-Team All-American by The Athletic, USA TODAY, Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Focus. Watts was named a First-Team Midseason All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News, PFF, Athlon Sports, The Athletic and CBS Sports.
Watts earned Notre Dame’s program Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, and he was named a semifinalist for the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Watts has totaled 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 and is tied for eighth on the all-time list for career interceptions in program history.
Watts ranks third in the nation in total interceptions (5), fourth in the nation in interceptions per game (0.4), and 12th in the country in passes defended (1.2 per game).
Notre Dame has gained 28 turnovers this season (tied for first in the nation). Watts is responsible for six of them (five interceptions, one fumble recovery).
Mills ranks tied for 11th all-time in career sacks in Notre Dame records with 16.0 on his career. He was the 14th Notre Dame player to record 15 or more sacks in his career.
Mills posted the best game of his career in the dominant 52-3 win over Florida State, notching three sacks, two coming on back-to-back plays, and totaling five tackles with a QB hurry. Mills was the only Power 4 player that weekend to post three sacks, and one of just three FBS players to do so that weekend. He was the only to do so against a Power 4 opponent. Notre Dame’s eight sacks in total were the most by any FBS team that weekend.
A team captain, Mills was honored with Notre Dame’s program Iron Cross Award, recognizing commitment and determination in the weight room.