Notre Dame’s defense is expected to do well in the 2024 season.
Safety Xavier Watts, an All-American and the current Bronko Nagurski Award winner, is a major reason for the high expectations.
Watts recorded 47 tackles and led the nation with seven interceptions last year, including two against former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, and the Nebraska native is on almost every preseason award watch list as he enters his senior year in South Bend.
Watts, a 2024 Notre Dame captain, has accepted the honor but understands it won’t mean much in August.
“It’s really exciting because after spending 5-6 years here and grinding for three of them before getting on the field, being recognized in the national preseason lists during your final years is very rewarding,” Watt said about Notre Dame having several players featured in national headlines. “However, we shouldn’t focus too much on it. It’s just a preseason watch list, and it only matters when you make the final list. I wasn’t on any preseason lists last year.”
While it may be tough to match his impressive performance from 2023, Watts isn’t concerned. His focus is on improving as a football player, starting with becoming a better communicator.
“There’s a lot to consider before the snap,” Watts said. “I’m working on improving that by getting the call, communicating it to the other defensive backs and possibly the linebackers. We need to make our calls, checks, and analyze formations. I want to understand what the offense is trying to do and use what we see on film to predict their routes and actions.”
Watts decided to return to Notre Dame for a fifth season to continue his development. Though he could have gone to the NFL after last season, he chose to stay to further enhance his skills.
“I received my draft grade and then chose to come back because I felt I still had areas to improve,” Watts explained. “Some players let their draft grade affect their performance, but you need to disregard it and focus on your game.”
Watts wasn’t initially considering returning until he had discussions with coaches, who pointed out areas for growth.
Defensive coordinator Al Golden will play a crucial role in preparing Watts for the next level, giving him significant responsibilities this fall. Golden has challenged Watts and cornerback Benjamin Morrison during preseason camp to elevate their game.
“You’re not just talking about assignments,” Golden said. “You’re discussing the precise techniques for executing those assignments. With players like Leonard Moore, who haven’t played much, the focus is on getting them into the right positions. But with experienced players like Watts and Morrison, the focus is on refining their techniques and decision-making.”
Golden is also encouraging his top players to take charge of the defense, which in turn pushes the coaching staff to stay sharp and effective.
“They thrive on this challenge,” Golden said. “It motivates the staff to be at their best because the players are highly perceptive. If you’re not giving them what they need, they’ll know.”
As the season opener approaches, Watts is eager to head to College Station.
“I’m excited to push myself further and continue improving,” Watts said. “With the new players we’ve brought in, I think this is one of the most talented teams I’ve been part of. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve.”
Leave a Reply