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Notre Dame DB Xavier Watts 2025 Draft Profile

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Nov 18, 2024 11:22 AM ET

Xavier Watts, S

Height/Weight: 6-0, 203 LBs

Age: 22

Notre Dame

Xavier Watts Notre Dame Stats

ESPN

Year	Tackles	Pass Breakups	Interceptions
2021	15	0	0
2022	39	3	0
2023	52	4	7
2024	35	6	3

Pros:

Instincts

Pure football player with experience on both sides of the ball. WR background presents itself in his ability to diagnose and attack

Ball Skills

Had an absurd 7 interceptions in 2023 alone. Not only does he know where the ball is going, but he can finish the job with excellent hands and a winner's mentality at the catch point

Physicality

A lesser player would be a pure post-safety following the switch from WR. Watts enjoys playing the run and attacking gaps

Rod Heard II Xavier Watts#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/rDzZnYcXvu
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 16, 2024

Cons

Experience

Still developing his technique and nuances at safety given his position change

Raw Athletcsiim

Not a bad athlete by any means, but unlikely to rival the top of the class in his measurables come pre-draft

Versatility

Best suited for split safety looks. May struggle to effectively play all over the backend, or at least in the beginning of his career

Player Evaluation:

Good luck finding a more consistent safety in the 2025 class than Watts. While not the most dynamic athlete, his instincts are fantastic, are is his ball skills. That shouldn’t be a big surprise considering his wide receiver background, clearly understanding routes developing in front of him. He has solid starter upside on the next level.-Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame, NFL Draft

Player Comparison:

Talanoa Hufanga

Instinctual players that make QBs keep their heads on a swivel at all times. They create turnovers in an instant and have a knack for finding the ball with either their shoulder (fumbles) or their hands (Interceptions)