Xavier Watts Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Brett Davis/IMAGN Images)
School: Notre Dame
Class: Senior
Position: SAF
HT: 6’0
WT: 204 lbs
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Background: Xavier Watts was a high school wide receiver out of Omaha, Nebraska. He was a 4-star, top player in the state, and top 50 wide receiver nationally in the class of 2020. Watts played for Burke High School in Omaha and was a 1,000-yard receiver while also being a leading tackler on defense. Watts committed to play for Notre Dame over Iowa State, Michigan, Nebraska, and others.
College: Watts didn’t record any stats until his 2021 season, where he appeared in 11 games. In 2022, Watts played in all 13 games, recording 39 tackles on the season. Watts had a breakout season in 2023. He won the Bronko Nagurski award as the nation’s best defensive player. Watts was a unanimous All-American and led the country with 7 interceptions. He also added 4 pass breakups to his interception totals. He was a consensus All-American, again, in 2024. Watts was a key piece on a defense that led Notre Dame to the championship game.
Strengths: Xavier Watts is a smart safety who can play all over the field. A majority of Watts’ reps are as a deep safety, where he can read the field and recognize different route concepts. Watts does well to read the quarterback’s eyes in order to make a play on the ball. His read and react ability on any given play is extremely sharp. Watts makes plays on the football with a great level of consistency. His football IQ and overall ability to make a read on an offense gives him the opportunity to get to a play where others may not be able to. Watts seems to bait the quarterback in the deep areas of the field by lurking near receivers without draping them in coverage. When the quarterback tries to make a throw, Watts cuts the pass off and can make a splash play. Watts has a fast trigger in the run game. He diagnoses runs from his high safety position and gets to the line of scrimmage in a hurry. He takes great routes to the football and wastes no space to make a tackle.
Weaknesses: Watts does not have that desired foot speed that scouts look for from a skill position player. He has trouble going step for step with receivers in the deep areas of the field. Watts is susceptible to missed tackles. He takes on strange tackling angles that result in arm tackles or gives the ball carrier an opportunity to make a cut to open grass. He seems to not have full control over himself once he triggers downhill and can be a loose cannon at times.
Conclusion: Xavier Watts is a playmaker in the secondary who can read the quarterback’s eyes and cut the pass off. Watts is a splash play machine. He is also a plus run defender as he can trigger downhill to stop the ball carrier close to the line. While he is an inconsistent tackler, there is no question about his ability to get in the mix as a trigger man.
Scheme Fit: Two High Safety Defense
Ideal Role: Free Safety
Best Team Fits: MIN, MIA, BAL
Player Comparison: Justin Reid
Player Grade: Round 4 (66.4)
