XW #31

Xavier Watts

Safety · Notre Dame

A two-time consensus All-American safety out of Notre Dame who turned heads immediately as a rookie interception threat for the Falcons.

Xavier Watts is a rookie safety for the Falcons who arrived as arguably the most decorated defensive back in Notre Dame history, a former wide receiver turned ball-hawking free safety. Atlanta traded up in the third round of the 2025 draft to grab him, and he wasted little time validating the move.

★ Two-time Consensus/Unanimous All-American at Notre Dame

★ Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, 2023

★ NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, September 2025

★ Five interceptions as a rookie in 2025

Path to the league

Watts began his Notre Dame career as a wide receiver before switching to safety, and he developed into one of the most productive defensive backs in college football, finishing with 117 solo tackles and 13 interceptions over 55 games. He led the nation with seven interceptions in 2023, winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and unanimous All-American honors, then followed with six more interceptions and Consensus All-American honors as a senior in 2024. The Falcons traded up with the Philadelphia Eagles to draft him 96th overall in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Watts is the first safety in Notre Dame history to earn back-to-back Consensus All-American honors, and the first defensive back at the school to do so since Todd Lyght in 1989 and 1990. He also won Defensive MVP of the Sugar Bowl in his final college season, capping a career built on elite range and ball skills.

2025 season recap

Watts made an immediate impact as a rookie, finishing the season with 96 total tackles, 11 pass deflections and five interceptions, and he was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.