Xavier Watts had an incredible five-year career at Notre Dame, capped off by leading Notre Dame to the National Championship game as one of the team’s captains and the team leader in interceptions. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report on the standout Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report and Film Analysis of All-American Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts
Measurables:
Height- 6’0″
Weight- 203 lbs
Player Background:
While Xavier Watts is now a star safety, he originally committed to Notre Dame as a four-star wide receiver from Omaha, Neb., in 2020. Watts played just two games and redshirted as a freshman in 2020, and in the 2021 season, he made the change to the defensive side of the ball. As Watts continued to develop as a defensive player the following season, in 2022, he played every game at safety and earned his first career start toward the end of the season. He entered the 2023 season as the full-time starter. In his first year as a full-time starter, Watts led the nation with seven interceptions, won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for being the best defensive player in college football, and was a unanimous All-American. Watts returned for a fifth season in 2024 and helped the Fighting Irish reach the National Championship game. He finished the year with six interceptions and 82 total tackles, earning consensus All-American honors.
Strengths:
Watts uses his years as a former wide receiver to his advantage as a safety. He has outstanding ball skills that helped him rack up 13 interceptions over the last two seasons. He has a great knack for anticipating where the ball is going to be thrown and has natural pass-catching abilities. Watts also knows the receiver position well and understands how receivers move. He has a great feel for routes in man coverage. In zone coverage, Watts has great instincts and the ability to read the quarterback well.
Watts plays with a high motor. He is very willing to make plays in run support and consistently gives high effort on every play until the whistle. His high motor combined with his instincts makes him a consistent threat to make big plays.
Weaknesses:
While Watts is a willing tackler, he is not always the most consistent tackler. He tends to take poor angles, which leads to some missed tackles and instances of extra yards being given up. He can also get taken out of plays by getting stuck on blockers occasionally. Watts is a bit of a stiff mover as well. He doesn’t change directions or move laterally quickly enough at times.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Watts has a great combination of being a high-motor and high-IQ player. With wide receiver-level ball skills and two years of proven elite interception production Watts’ playmaking ability is a trait that could help him excel in the NFL. While Watts is an older prospect at 23 years old, he is also still fairly new to the safety position, and could still have a considerable amount of growth as he continues to get more comfortable playing the position. Despite some concerns, Watts has no glaring weaknesses and has shown signs of improving his weaknesses. With his playmaking abilities, he could be a high-level starting safety at the next level.
Prospect Grade: Early 2nd Round
Main Photo: Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
