Xavier Watts

Xavier Watts (born November 22, 2001) is an American football safety for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Xavier Watts
Notre Dame Fighting Irish – No. 0
PositionSafety
ClassSenior
Personal information
Born: (2001-11-22) November 22, 2001
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight204 lb (93 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolHarry A. Burke (Omaha, Nebraska)

Early life and high school

Watts was born in Omaha, Nebraska and attended high school at Harry A. Burke. In high school, he hauled in 163 receptions for 2,978 yards and 36 touchdowns, while also rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown. On defense Watts notched 136 tackles with 7.5 being for a loss, 13 pass deflections, nine interceptions, and one touchdown.[1] Watts was ranked as the number two prospect in the state of Nebraska in the 2019 class.[2] Watts committed to play college football at the University of Notre Dame as a wide receiver.[3][4]

College career

In his first season in the shortened 2020 season, Watts appeared in two games, recording no statistics.[5] In the 2021 season, Watts switched to safety and totaled 15 tackles over five games.[6] In week eleven of the 2022 season, Watts got his first career start against Navy where he recorded a career-high eight tackles. Two weeks later, he would set a new career high in tackles making nine tackles versus USC.[7] Watts finished his 2022 season with 39 tackles with two being for a loss, a sack, and four pass deflections.[8] In week two of the 2023 season, Watts recorded his first career interception in a win over NC State.[9] In week five, Watts would record another big interception, as helped Notre Dame beat Duke.[10] In week seven, Watts intercepted Caleb Williams on the first series of the game to help set up Notre Dame.[11] Watts would finish his career performance with seven tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown, as he helped the Fighting Irish upset #10 USC.[12]

Statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSTotalSoloAstSackPDIntYdsTDFFFRTD
2020Notre Dame 200000.00000000
2021Notre Dame 110151140.00000000
2022Notre Dame 1343924151.03000000
2023Notre Dame 883620160.044730111
Career34129055351.074730111

References
  1. "Xavier Watts's Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  2. Sampson, Pete. "Shaped by his father's example, Xavier Watts carved his own path to Notre Dame". The Athletic. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  3. Gray, Tim. "Omaha Burke's Xavier Watts looking forward to the grind at Notre Dame". Lincoln Journal-Star. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  4. Sautter, Mike. "Ex-Burke star Xavier Watts got a first taste of Notre Dame football, now he can't wait to get back". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  5. "Xaiver Watts". Notre Dame University Athletics. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  6. "Xavier Watts 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  7. Stires, Sean. "Xavier Watts At Home Playing Safety For Notre Dame". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  8. "Xaiver Watts 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  9. Sanchez Cordova, Jose. "Xavier Watts, Irish safeties lead with experience". The Observer. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  10. Levitan, Jonathan. "5 observations and more from Duke football's first half against Notre Dame". Duke Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  11. Skiver, Kevin. "Notre Dame vs. Southern Cal final score, highlights: Xavier Watts powers Irish to 48–20 win". South Bend-Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  12. Burlage, Todd. "USC vs. Notre Dame game balls". On3.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
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