Xavier Watts Sets Unmatched Standard in Notre Dame Football History with Record Performance, Highlighting 96 Days Until 2025 Season Opener

Ninety-six days out from the start of Notre Dame’s 2025 football season, anticipation continues to build among fans, alumni, and college football enthusiasts alike. With summer workouts in full swing and fall camp on the horizon, now is the perfect time to look back and celebrate one of the most remarkable individual achievements in recent Notre Dame football history—an accomplishment by Xavier Watts that has stood tall among Irish greats since at least 1996.

Watts, the hard-hitting, ball-hawking safety from Omaha, Nebraska, captured the college football world’s attention during the 2023 season, culminating in a record-setting campaign that cemented his place in Fighting Irish lore. His production was not only elite by Notre Dame standards, but also nationally, earning him widespread acclaim and a host of postseason honors. But most importantly, it marked a turning point for a program hungry to reassert its defensive identity on the national stage.

His achievement? Watts became the first Notre Dame player since at least 1996 to record seven interceptions in a single season. While defensive stats pre-1996 are incomplete in university archives and official NCAA logs, no Irish defender in the modern statistical era—nearly three decades—had reached the same level of ball production in a single year. That puts Watts not only in a league of his own but also in direct comparison with the best defensive backs the Irish have produced in recent memory, including the likes of Harrison Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Julian Love, and Bennett Jackson.

Watts’s performance stood out even more in a college football era where passing offenses have become increasingly sophisticated and aggressive. In many ways, it’s never been more difficult for a defensive back to rack up interceptions—making what he accomplished in 2023 all the more extraordinary. Teams scheme specifically to avoid playmakers like Watts. Yet game after game, he found a way to impact the ball.

One of the hallmarks of Watts’s breakout campaign was his timing. He didn’t just make plays—he made them in moments that mattered. His two-interception performance against USC in the historic rivalry game was arguably the defining moment of Notre Dame’s 2023 season. Facing off against eventual Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, Watts played like a man possessed. He baited Williams into throws, disguised coverages with polish and poise, and finished each opportunity with aggression and focus. One of the interceptions directly led to a scoring drive that helped Notre Dame seize momentum—and ultimately control—against the Trojans.

That USC game earned Watts national Defensive Player of the Week honors and gave him the kind of spotlight that Irish defenders often fight for amid the media’s focus on offensive juggernauts. But that wasn’t a one-off performance. He followed up with another multi-interception showing later in the season and consistently served as the eraser at the back end of Al Golden’s defense. His instincts were impeccable. His ability to read quarterbacks pre-snap and anticipate route combinations set him apart, especially when compared to his contemporaries.

In total, Watts ended 2023 with seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and countless passes defended. While interceptions draw headlines, his broader contribution to the defense was just as impactful. He led by example, studied film with the intensity of a seasoned NFL veteran, and earned the trust of coaches who leaned heavily on him in high-leverage situations.

Watts’s season led to a slew of accolades. He was named a consensus All-American, earned first-team All-Independent honors, and was a finalist for the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player. The praise was unanimous—from coaches, opponents, analysts, and scouts alike. More impressively, Watts elevated the play of those around him. Younger players in the secondary, inspired by his preparation and drive, began to model their game after his. The ripple effect of his influence became evident by the defense’s overall improvement in pass defense and takeaways.

But Xavier Watts’s rise to stardom was not immediate, nor was it guaranteed. Originally recruited as a wide receiver, his early years at Notre Dame were marked by position switches and the challenge of carving out a defined role in a competitive program. His move to safety proved to be the turning point. While the learning curve was steep, his football IQ and athleticism allowed him to catch on quickly. By the end of the 2022 season, coaches saw flashes of his potential. By the start of 2023, he had become the centerpiece of the secondary.

In many ways, Watts’s development mirrored Notre Dame’s broader emphasis on defensive identity. The Irish have always valued tough, smart, and physical play on the defensive side of the ball, but the early 2020s saw a renewed focus on playmaking and turnovers. Under defensive coordinator Al Golden, the system emphasized versatility and pressure—two elements that suited Watts perfectly. He thrived in coverages that allowed him to freelance when appropriate, and his range made it nearly impossible for offenses to find consistent success over the middle of the field.

Watts also excelled off the field, earning praise for his leadership and humility. By all accounts, he remained grounded amid the attention and accolades. Coaches pointed to his work ethic and approach to preparation as setting the tone for the rest of the team. In team meetings and film sessions, he was as engaged as any player on the roster, often asking questions, pointing out tendencies, and offering insight to younger teammates. His leadership style wasn’t always vocal, but it was authentic and respected.

As Notre Dame looks ahead to the 2025 season, with only 96 days to go, Watts’s legacy provides a benchmark for the next generation of Irish defenders. Players like Christian Gray, Micah Bell, and incoming freshmen now look to Watts’s tape not only for technique but for inspiration. His name is already being spoken in the same breath as some of the program’s all-time great defenders.

His impact is also being felt in recruiting circles. Notre Dame’s recent defensive back commits have cited the development and success of players like Watts as a major reason for choosing the Irish. They see a program that not only competes at the highest level but also develops talent to its fullest potential. For a team with College Football Playoff aspirations in 2025, having a legacy like Watts’s to point to is invaluable.

And while his future may lie in the NFL—Watts declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and was selected in the mid-rounds by a franchise eager for secondary help—his presence at Notre Dame is still felt. During the spring, he returned to South Bend to speak with the team, offering wisdom and encouragement. His message? Do the little things right. Study more than you think you need to. Play for each other. Take pride in wearing the gold helmet.

Those words resonate deeply, especially with so many players returning on defense and eager to prove they can follow in his footsteps. As Marcus Freeman enters a pivotal year at the helm of the program, the hope is that Watts’s example will help lift Notre Dame back into championship contention.

In college football, legacies are built not only on raw talent, but on timing, resilience, and impact. Xavier Watts embodied all of those traits during his historic 2023 season. And now, with just 96 days until the Irish return to the field, his record continues to symbolize what is possible when preparation meets opportunity. In an era where records come and go, Watts’s performance stands as a lasting reminder of the standard Notre Dame players should aspire to reach.

Whether or not anyone will match or surpass his seven-interception season remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Xavier Watts gave Notre Dame a reason to believe in dominant defense again. He reminded the Irish faithful that greatness is not reserved for the offense, and that game-changing plays from the secondary can tilt the outcome of any contest. With nearly 100 days to go before a new chapter begins, his story still inspires—and it sets the tone for everything that comes next.