Why Xavier Watts is the 9th most important Notre Dame player in 2023

The year of Xavier Watts might finally be here. The Notre Dame safety toyed with switching back to wide receiver at this time last year, but he’s a full-time defensive back now. No questions asked.

He could be a full-time starter, too.

Watts is BlueandGold.com’s 9th most important Notre Dame football player in 2023.

Why Watts is No. 9

Watts started the final four games of the 2022 season. He played in all 13 of them. That was before he had a slate of spring practices that made onlookers feel very confident he’ll be a heavy snap eater in 2023. Notre Dame coaches were left thinking the same thing.

This is a Notre Dame safety room that had to look to the FCS ranks for reinforcements; the Fighting Irish added Antonio Carter II from Rhode Island via the transfer portal. There are other veterans in the group like graduate student DJ Brown and senior Ramon Henderson, but it’s starting to seem like Watts could be the best of the bunch.

Watts has the range of a former wide receiver and the ball instincts of someone who has played a lot of offense in his past. He could be the player who does what Notre Dame did not do a whole lot of as a team last fall — get to the football in the secondary. Outside of Benjamin Morrison‘s six interceptions, Notre Dame was one of the worse teams in the FBS at doing that.

What a successful season would look like for Notre Dame’s Watts

Starting every game and forcing a few turnovers.

Being that Watts is likely going to start at strong safety, he’s not expected to reel in multiple interceptions. But he has the power to pack a punch in the tackling department. A few forced fumbles are possible. He could also be asked to get to the quarterback on safety blitzes. Tackles for loss are right up his alley with his quickness and nose for the ball.

It comes down to Watts displaying his athleticism. He has a ton of it, but what good is it if he does not use it to help the Notre Dame defense get off the field? This is the year he’ll be given ample opportunities to make it happen.

Behind the ranking

The top 25 was determined in the same manner as the Associated Press Top 25. Five BlueandGold.com staff members submitted their ballots, and each position on the ballot was given a point value. The top ranking was worth 25 points, No. 2 was worth 24, No. 3 worth 23 and so on down until No. 25, which was worth one point. The players with the 25 highest point totals made the list.

Talent and the projected depth chart were key foundations for the poll, but voters placed a premium on these questions: 1) If you subtracted this individual from the roster, how much of a setback would it be? 2) If this less proven player emerges and makes an impact, how much does that raise the ceiling (or lower it, if a breakout does not happen as expected)?

Individual rankings

Stephen Downey: No. 13
Tyler Horka: No. 10
Jack Soble: No. 17
Todd Burlage: No. 14
Kyle Kelly: No. 8

BlueandGold.com’s Notre Dame top 25 so far

No. 9: Senior safety Xavier Watts
No. 10: Sophomore wide receiver Tobias Merriweather
No. 11: Graduate student linebacker JD Bertrand
No. 12: Graduate student defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste
No. 13: Graduate student linebacker Jack Kiser
No. 14: Senior defensive tackle Rylie Mills
No. 15: Junior tight end Mitchell Evans
No. 16: Senior wide receiver Chris Tyree
No. 17: Graduate student center Zeke Correll
No. 18: Graduate student defensive tackle Howard Cross III
No. 19: Graduate student safety Antonio Carter II
No. 20: Graduate student offensive lineman Andrew Kristofic
No. 21: Graduate student defensive back Thomas Harper
No. 22: Sophomore offensive guard Billy Schrauth
No. 23: Junior wide receiver Deion Colzie
No. 24: Graduate student linebacker Marist Liufau
No. 25: Freshman wide receiver Jaden Greathouse

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