Graduate safety Xavier Watts has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing the nation’s top defensive back. He is one of 15 defensive backs nationally to be recognized.
Throughout 2024, Watts has demonstrated his consistent excellence week to week. Watts was named a First-Team Midseason All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News, PFF, Athlon Sports, The Athletic and CBS Sports.
He ranks 14th nationally in passes defended (1.3 per game) and 14th in interceptions (3) this season. Watts leads all Irish defensive backs in tackles with 30 on the season and in pass breakups with seven. He has also forced a fumble and posted two quarterback hurries.
Three finalists will be selected from the 15 semifinalists. Notre Dame has had two finalists in program history: Todd Lyght (1989) and Bobby Taylor (1993).
Watts was named a team captain to begin 2024. 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 and the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000.
Watts has totaled 10 interceptions in his career. He is the 19th Notre Dame player to intercept 10 or more passes in a career and is tied for 12th (with six other players) on the all-time list for career interceptions in program history.
The 2023 Bronko Nagurski Award Winner (representing the best defensive player in the country) and a 2023 Unanimous All-American, Xavier Watts helped Notre Dame to become the nation’s top pass-efficiency defense (97.09), and the fifth-overall defense (276.3) in 2023.