Xavier Watts: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Former Notre Dame star Xavier Watts shows deep admiration for former DC Al Golden amidst questions about potential reunion

Over the last two seasons, former Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts was a foundational player for the Fighting Irish. During that stretch, the Omaha, Nebraska native was named an All-American in consecutive seasons.

College Football News / Athlon Sports / March 4

Notre Dame Safety Room Remains Talented Despite Loss of Star Xavier Watts

Notre Dame has positions to replace on defense, none might be bigger than the vacancy left by Xavier Watts who is headed off to the NFL Draft. Watts is one of the most decorated defensive backs in Notre Dame history winning the Bronko Nagurski Award in 2023 and earning consensus All-American honors in back to back seasons.

College Football News / PewterReport.com / February 28

Bucs Have Eyes On Notre Dame’s Stud DBs

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles made it known at the 2025 NFL Combine this week that he is looking for ballhawks – no matter what position they play. Looking at some prospects who fit that mold, one does not need to overthink how Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison could make an impact in Tampa Bay’s secondary.

ND Star Watts Has Plenty of Love For Raiders' Mayer

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Las Vegas Raiders are hard at work looking for talent through the 2025 NFL Draft. The Raiders have been present at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, meeting with several prospects in this class.

College Football News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / February 27

Notre Dame Star Commends Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith at NFL Combine

There were few, if any, bigger playmakers in college football last season than Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. Notre Dame got a front row seat to see his abilities in the National Championship game this past January.

College Football News / Ohio State Buckeyes on SI / February 27

Notre Dame Star Drops Immense Take on Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith proved that he is one of the most explosive options in the country this past season, and perhaps no one knows that better than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

College Football News / The 33rd Team / February 19

2025 NFL Combine: Predicting This Year's Biggest Breakouts

The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is almost here, and there are a few prospects that media outlets are going to quickly fall in love with after tearing it up in the on-field drills.

College Football News / Last Word On Sports / February 17

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

Xavier Watts had an incredible five-year career at Notre Dame, capped off by leading Notre Dame to the National Championship game as one of the team’s captains and the team leader in interceptions.

College Football News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / February 14

Notre Dame's Xavier Watts Sees Draft Stock Rise in Latest NFL Mock Draft

This week the NFL announced its invitees to the 2025 NFL combine in Indianapolis and eight former Notre Dame standouts are set to participate. Two of the names scheduled to participate are safety Xavier Watts and cornerback Benjamin Morrison.

NFL Draft Film Breakdown: Xavier Watts an Ideal Fit in Cincinnati Bengals' Secondary?

Xavier Watts is one of the most decorated safeties in college football. He's a back-to-back consensus All-American, Bronko Nagurski winner, a team captain, and led the NCAA in interceptions in 2023 (7) and had the second most (6) in 2024.

College Football News / Athlon Sports / February 12

Replace and Reload: Notre Dame Safeties Have A Tough Task Replacing Xavier Watts

Notre Dame has put one of the nation's best defenses on the field the last two seasons, and one of the biggest reasons for that success was the play of safety Xavier Watts.

College Football News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / February 5

Possible Bengals Draft Target Notre Dame Star Safety Xavier Watts Signs With Athletes First

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts has officially signed with Athletes First. That's the same agency that represents multiple top NFL safeties in the league, including Jessie Bates and Budda Baker.

NFL News / Yardbarker / February 1

NFL Draft war room: Saints have their highest first-round pick since 2008

The New Orleans Saints (5-12) hold the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and need help at about every position, especially on the offensive line, wide receiver, tight end and edge/defensive line.

Report: One NFL Draft QB emerging as top Day 2 selection

Insiders repeat warnings about quarterbacks in 2025 NFL Draft class

NFL Draft guru addresses whether teams will ask Alabama QB Jalen Milroe to switch positions

The best & worst uniform looks for each NFL franchise

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / January 24

All-Time Notre Dame Great Pens Emotional Farewell to Fighting Irish

With the 2024-25 football season officially over it means its time to turn the page next year for Notre Dame. That's just the way things go as several players wore the blue and gold this past Monday for the final times in their football careers.

College Football News / The 33rd Team / January 20

2025 NFL Draft: Stock Up, Stock Down From College Football Playoffs

The College Football Playoff concludes with an exciting matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame, but NFL scouts have already gotten a very good glimpse at a handful of prospects ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

College Football News / The 33rd Team / January 20

2025 NFL Draft: Players With Most On The Line in National Championship

The National Championship Game is almost here, and the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set for a heavyweight battle that will bring a historic moment for either program.

College Football News / Yardbarker / January 19

10 players in CFP national title game who will play in NFL in 2025

Here are 10 prospects from the national championship game who will play in the NFL in 2025.

Most important people for Ohio State

Most important people for Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman breaks silence on NFL interest amid college success

Coaches count on their veterans to lead the Buckeyes, Fighting Irish

'Tweaks' to CFP format not ruled out at annual FBS commissioner meeting

National title over/under picks: How will turf impact Monday’s total?

College Football News / The 33rd Team / January 8

2025 NFL Draft: Ranking Top 10 Senior Bowl Propsects

The 2025 Senior Bowl roster is nearly complete, and this year's class might be the most talented group of NFL draft prospects in the history of the event.

College Football News / Yardbarker / December 20

Watch: Notre Dame scores incredible 98-yard TD run in CFP

Watch: Notre Dame opens scoring in CFP with incredible 98-yard TD run

The opening game of the 2024 College Football Playoff between Notre Dame and Indiana got off to an electrifying start on Friday night.

Three keys to Clemson overcoming Texas in CFP first round

From 'Lamar Jackson' to home fans: Most important people in CFP first round

Ranking the 12 starting quarterbacks in the College Football Playoff

The 25 best rivalries in college football

The 'Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award winners' quiz

College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 19

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.

College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 18

Xavier Watts Earns First Team All-America Honors From Sporting News

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts continues to pile up postseason honors, and the latest is the star from Nebraska earning first team All-America honors from Sporting News. Watts has been named a first team All-American by Sporting News for two straight seasons.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / December 17

Notre Dame's Xavier Watts Denied Unanimous First Team All-American Honors

Xavier Watts burst onto the scene defensively in 2023, bringing home the Bronco Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player. The wide receiver-turned-safety then brought Notre Dame good news by deciding to return for his final year of eligibility in 2024, instead of entering the NFL draft.

College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 16

Xavier Watts Earns First Team All-America Honors From The Associated Press

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts continues to pile up the All-America honors, this time earning another first-team honor from the Associated Press. The Fighting

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / The 33rd Team / December 8

Xavier Watts 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Notre Dame Fighting Irish SAF

Height: 6000 (unofficial) Weight: 203 (unofficial) Year: Redshirt Senior Pro Comparison: Justin Simmons Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts is a ball-hawking defender on the back end who boasts elite ball skills and game-changing playmaking.

College Football News / Last Word On Sports / January 3, 2024

Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts Returning to the Irish

Unanimous All-American safety Xavier Watts has elected to return to the Fighting Irish for the 2024 season. Winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award as the

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Yardbarker / October 15, 2023

Did Notre Dame safety predict his big game against USC?

Earlier in the week, Watts, who hadn't been playing up to his standards thus far, talked to reporters about being too indecisive and vowed to change that against USC.

Caleb Williams has shockingly bad game as USC gets blown out by Notre Dame

Williams' Heisman chances may have just vanished

Winners and losers from Week 7 of the college football season

The 25 best rivalries in college football

The 'College nicknames that don't end in s' quiz