Graduate safety Xavier Watts, one of the nation’s top safeties, has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy, recognizing college football’s best defensive player in character and performance.
Watts is one of nine semifinalists for the honor. Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o won the trophy in 2012, and was a finalist in 2011.
Throughout 2024, Watts has demonstrated his consistent excellence and leadership week to week. He was named a team captain at the beginning of the 2024 season. Already a semifinalist for the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Watts was named a First-Team Midseason All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News, PFF, Athlon Sports, The Athletic and CBS Sports.
Watts leads all Irish defensive backs in tackles with 34 on the season and in pass breakups with seven. He has also forced a fumble and posted two quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss. According to Pro Football Focus, he has not allowed a touchdown this season, starting every game for the Irish.
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 Trophy Winner (representing the best defensive player in the country) and a 2023 Unanimous All-American, Watts helped Notre Dame to become the nation’s top pass-efficiency defense (97.09), and the fifth-overall defense (276.3) in 2023.