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Former Notre Dame star Xavier Watts knows his future home as the Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Watts was selected with the 96th overall pick in the draft.
Watts ended his career as arguably the most decorated and accomplished safety in Notre Dame history. He is the first safety in school history to earn back-to-back Consensus All-American honors and the first defensive back to do so since Todd Lyght in 1989 and 1990. Watts earned unanimous honors in 2023 and consensus honors in 2024 despite having a better season.
A team captain this past season, Watts played a huge role in Notre Dame's run to the national championship. His leadership and playmaking ability set the standard for the Irish defense, which you saw throughout the playoffs. Watts finished his final season with 82 tackles, four tackles for loss, 10 pass break ups and six interceptions.
The Nebraska native racked up 52 tackles, seven interceptions and four pass break ups during the 2023 season. His highlight moment was when he picked off USC quarterback Caleb Williams twice in a 48-20 victory over the Trojans. Williams was the No. 1 overall pick a year ago. His seven interceptions during the 2023 season led the nation.
Watts picked off USC quarterbacks three times in the last two seasons, and his final pick was returned 100 yards for a game-clinching touchdown that also locked in a playoff spot for the Irish. He also re turned a fumble for a touchdown in the 2023 win over the Trojans.
Watts began his Notre Dame career at wide receiver before moving over to defense in the middle of the 2021 season. The 2023 season was his first as a full-time defensive player. Notre Dame went 24-5 in his two seasons as a full-time defensive player, with Watts being a driving force in an Irish pass defense that led the nation in pass efficiency in each of the last two seasons. Notre Dame led the nation in lowest completion percentage allowed in 2024 and ranked second in that department in 2023.
Watts did not allow single passing touchdown in coverage over the last two seasons. He will go down as one of the best safeties and overall best defensive players in Notre Dame history.
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Watts ended his career as arguably the most decorated and accomplished safety in Notre Dame history. He is the first safety in school history to earn back-to-back Consensus All-American honors and the first defensive back to do so since Todd Lyght in 1989 and 1990. Watts earned unanimous honors in 2023 and consensus honors in 2024 despite having a better season.
A team captain this past season, Watts played a huge role in Notre Dame's run to the national championship. His leadership and playmaking ability set the standard for the Irish defense, which you saw throughout the playoffs. Watts finished his final season with 82 tackles, four tackles for loss, 10 pass break ups and six interceptions.
The Nebraska native racked up 52 tackles, seven interceptions and four pass break ups during the 2023 season. His highlight moment was when he picked off USC quarterback Caleb Williams twice in a 48-20 victory over the Trojans. Williams was the No. 1 overall pick a year ago. His seven interceptions during the 2023 season led the nation.
Watts picked off USC quarterbacks three times in the last two seasons, and his final pick was returned 100 yards for a game-clinching touchdown that also locked in a playoff spot for the Irish. He also re turned a fumble for a touchdown in the 2023 win over the Trojans.
Watts began his Notre Dame career at wide receiver before moving over to defense in the middle of the 2021 season. The 2023 season was his first as a full-time defensive player. Notre Dame went 24-5 in his two seasons as a full-time defensive player, with Watts being a driving force in an Irish pass defense that led the nation in pass efficiency in each of the last two seasons. Notre Dame led the nation in lowest completion percentage allowed in 2024 and ranked second in that department in 2023.
Watts did not allow single passing touchdown in coverage over the last two seasons. He will go down as one of the best safeties and overall best defensive players in Notre Dame history.
Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge
Irish Breakdown Content
2025 Scholarship Chart
2025 Football Schedule
Notre Dame 2026 Scholarship Offers
2025 Commit Rankings - Offense
2025 Commit Rankings - Defense
2024 Recruiting Class
2023 Recruiting Class
2022 Recruiting Class
———————
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
BECOME A MEMBER
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
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