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Atlanta Falcons DB Xavier Watts's Low-Key Reaction to Being Named Starter
The Atlanta Falcons drafted safety Xavier Watts out of Notre Dame with the 96th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. Last Thursday, Watts was named as a starter ahead of Atlanta’s Week 1 divisional showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 25 greatest players in Notre Dame football history
Trying to narrow down the 25 best players in the history of Notre Dame's storied football program is no easy task. However, we gave it a go. Listed in chronological order.
College Football News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / August 16
Former Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts Shines With More Playing Time in Second Preseason Game
Former Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts didn't play a lot in the Falcons preseason opener last week against the Detroit Lions, and he still didn't play a ton on Friday in Atlanta's second preseason game against Tennessee.
The 'Last 4,000-yard passer by NFL team' quiz
How many of the players to throw for 4,000 yards in a single season most recently for each NFL franchise can you name in five minutes?
NFL News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / August 13
Rookie Pushing for Starting Role in Falcons' Secondary
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga – A few days after returning from a minor ailment, rookie safety Xavier Watts was back in the thick of one of the Atlanta Falcons’ most
The 25 most memorable Monday Night Football moments
Another NFL season means more potentially memorable moments from Monday Night Football. Here are 25 of the most notable to date.
NFL News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / July 26
Xavier Watts or Jordan Fuller, Atlanta Falcons Battle at Safety
Free safety looks like a fun battle during Atlanta Falcons training camp, where a rookie will challenge a free agent signing. Jordan Fuller signed a one-year, $1.34 million deal with just $80,000 guaranteed.
NFC Notes: Chris Olave, Xavier Watts, Falcons, Panthers, Saints
Falcons area coach Ryan Doyle said third-round S Xavier Watts is one of the most cerebral players he’s ever scouted at the position. “X is one of the smartest players I have ever watched at safety,” Doyal said, via the team’s website.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / June 19
Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick Makes NFL.com's All-Rookie Team
Truly great NFL safety combos only come around every so often, but when they do emerge on the rare occasion, a defense can often dominate. At least in superstar Jessie Bates III, the Atlanta Falcons already have one half of the duo.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / June 13
Atlanta Falcons' Forgotten Man to Play Key Role According to CBS Sports
Often overlooked in the draft-day trade the Atlanta Falcons made to acquire James Pearce Jr. in the first round is the third-round pick that was also included in the deal.
NFL News / Last Word On Sports / May 16
Falcons Rookie Emerging as a Surprise DROY Contender
Atlanta has two obvious gems from the NFL draft: Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. However, not enough people talk about what they did after that. The Falcons went out and got several key pieces to round out their defense in the draft, and followed up with undrafted free agents.
College Football News / Athlon Sports / May 13
How Rookie Xavier Watts Can Be An X-Factor
The Falcons were desperately needing depth in the secondary and went with Notre Dame star Watts in the third round. Watts had a very successful career with the Fighting Irish that saw him make the national championship game in his final season.
25 NFL quarterbacks from the 2000s who you already forgot about
As years go by, it's easy to forget some of the players who suited up on the gridiron. While the quarterback is the one position in the NFL that is under
NFL News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / April 29
Falcons Third-Rounder Ranked Among Best Picks in 2025 NFL Draft
Much of the national conversation around the 2025 NFL Draft for the Atlanta Falcons has been the team's trade back up into the first round. But general manager Terry Fontenot orchestrated two significant trades up the board during the 2025 Draft.
Falcons obtain No. 96 from Eagles, draft S Xavier Watts
The Eagles used this sector of last year’s draft to hop around the board, acquiring a host of 2025 picks. They are moving one of theirs to the Falcons, who will add No.
College Football News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / April 11
Evaluators Believe Xavier Watts Could Fall Farther Than Expected in 2025 NFL Draft
The Bengals have a need at safety and former Notre Dame star Xavier Watts could certainly be one of their targets in the 2025 NFL Draft. Watts spent the past three seasons playing for current Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden at Notre Dame.
NFL News / Yardbarker / March 23
NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Eagles' first-round pick at No. 32
These four players have been linked to the Eagles in various mock drafts.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Yardbarker / March 18
Eagles add 'ball-hawking safety' in latest mock draft
No team allowed fewer yards in 2024 than the Philadelphia Eagles. But after parting ways with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Super Bowl champs could use a good safety.
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.
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 / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / December 6, 2023
Xavier Watts Weighing Future After Winning Nagurski Award
The best defensive player in college football plays for Notre Dame. The Football Writers Association of America said so this week when it awarded Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which annually goes to the nation’s top defensive player.
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.
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