Next Game
Now Playing
Share Video
Link copied!
-
0:512025 NFL Draft Grades: Falcons Select Xavier Watts No. 96
-
2:20Combine 2025: Notre Dame S Xavier Watts
-
4:25Notre Dame DB Xavier Watts Joins CBS Sports HQ
-
3:35Notre Dame DB Xavier Watts Joins CBS Sports HQ
-
3:08Post-Game Coach & Player Press Conferences: Louisville at Notre Dame
-
2:40Mike Mickens on Xavier Watts: 'He Approaches it as a Pro'
-
0:342025 NFL Draft Grades: Buccaneers Select Benjamin Morrison No. 53
-
0:53Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli enters the transfer portal
-
0:57Gregory Patrick's Impressions Of Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman
-
1:10Gregory Patrick On Support From Family On Notre Dame Commitment
-
1:39What Is The Plan for Gregory Patrick At Notre Dame?
-
1:24Gregory Patrick On Why He Committed To Notre Dame
-
0:42WNBA Mock Draft: No. 3 Sonia Citron (Mystics)
-
1:38Who is on Notre Dame's list after landing 4-Star EDGE Rodney Dunham
-
1:10What 4-Star EDGE Rodney Dunham brings to Notre Dame
-
1:51Andrew Ivins' scouting report on 4-Star EDGE Rodney Dunham
-
1:42WATCH: 4-Star EDGE Rodney Dunham commits to Notre Dame
-
1:54What is Notre Dame capable of in 2025?
-
1:254-Star CB Caden Harris stands out at Under Armour Nashville | 247Sports Ultimate CFB Show
Draft Scouting Report
Rating: 80.95 (Starter)
Pro Comparison: Anthony Harris
Summary
Xavier Watts was the cornerstone of one of the best defenses in college football last fall. He may not have the high-end physical tools teams are looking for, but more than makes up for that with his football IQ. He's constantly sniffing out where the ball will be before it gets there. Watts is a great deep safety prospect who does his best work on the backend.
About
- Career: Highly decorated defensive back who won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defensive player) and earned unanimous All-American honors in 2023 before being named a consensus All-American in 2024
- 13 interceptions over past two seasons (most in FBS)
Strengths
- A true student of the game. Sees things develop at a high level
- Finds the ball in the air. 13 picks the past two seasons
- Fluid in the open field. Reacts laterally to ball-carriers with relative ease
- Very smooth hips to mirror from off coverage
- Aggressive to fill from range
Weaknesses
- Range is lacking for a deep safety
- Not built for pure box life. Likes to duck around blocks
Top Xavier Watts News
-
Falcons' Xavier Watts: Lands with Atlanta
The Falcons selected Watts in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 96th overall.
Watts is a smart, instinctive safety who had one of the most decorated careers in Notre Dame history. Those will have to be his carrying traits in the NFL as he grades as a below-average athlete by the league's standards. Being a two-time All-American despite not being overly toolsy speaks to Watt's knowledge of the game and ability to put himself in the right spot at the right time. In time, he could start at safety alongside Jessie Bates in Atlanta.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-0, 203 lbs |
| Birthplace: Omaha, NE |
| Age: 23 |
| Class: Senior |