Xavier Watts Earns Consensus All-America Honors

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts has officially been named a consensus All-American, which recognizes the brilliant 2024 campaign he has had for the Fighting Irish. Watts was named a first-team All-America player on four of the five All-American teams that determine consensus and unanimous honors. Watts was one first-team selection away from being a unanimous All-American.

Watts was a unanimous All-American in 2023, but the Football Writers Association of America named him to their second team. It's a ridiculous choice, as Watts was the nation's best safety in 2024. In fact, Watts was even better in 2024 than he was in 2023, and only Caleb Downs of Ohio State came close to being the kind of player that Watts was this season. 

The Nebraska native still becomes one of the most decorated defensive backs in Notre Dame history. Watts becomes the first defensive back at Notre Dame to earn back-to-back consensus All-America honors since Todd Lyght accomplished that in 1989 and 1990. Watts and Lyght are the only two Notre Dame defensive backs to earn that honor, which speaks to his brilliance the last two seasons.

Watts finished the 2024 regular season with 49 tackles, nine pass break ups and five interceptions. He ranks third nationally in interceptions and is tied for 11th with 14 passes defensed. In fact, Watts actually had more passes defensed (14) in 12 games this season than he had in 13 games during the 2023 season (11). Watts also averages more tackles per game this season for a Notre Dame defense that is once again one of the nation's best.

No player in college football has intercepted more passes the last two seasons than Watts, who has picked off 12 passes and broken up 13 more over the last two seasons. Notre Dame finished the 2023 season with the third best pass defense in college football and it heads into the College Football Playoff again ranked third in pass defense. Watts led that secondary in pass break ups and interceptions, and he was second on the team in solo tackles. Watts also hasn't allowed a passing touchdown against him the last two seasons. During his Irish career has has given up just one career touchdown reception while picking off 12 passes.

Watts was once again a dynamic, clutch football player for the Irish. Four of Notre Dame's five best opponents were Texas A&M, Louisville, Georgia Tech and USC, and Watts picked off a pass in each of those games. His last interception against the Trojans ended with the All-American racing 100 yards for a touchdown. Watts also racked up a career-high nine tackles in that win over the Trojans, and he tied his career high with six solo tackles.