Safeties
3
Xavier Watts
2025 NFL Draft Prospect
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 204
- School: Notre Dame
- Class: Senior
| PRO | CON |
|---|---|
| Extremely high understanding of where to be in coverage. Elite ball skills and ball-tracking ability. Lined up in multiple positions for the Irish. Veteran hand usage and ability to get off blocks. | Tackling technique and backpedal footwork is sloppy when changing direction. All teachable when getting to the next level. Speed doesn’t jump off the tape like it should. Hesitates to help in the run game. |
OVERVIEW: It could be argued that Watts was the best safety in college football last season, and there's no argument that he was a key contributor to Notre Dame's run through the College Football Playoff. After transitioning from being a three-star wide receiver out of high school to playing safety for the Irish, he entered the fray as a key defender. You can still see some of the reading ability from his offensive background in the way he plays receivers and wins at the line of scrimmage. Did not run at the combine, which could bring questions about his overall athleticism.
COMPARISON: Marcus Maye
SCOUTING COMBINE STATS: 40: –– B: –– VJ: –– BJ: –– 3cone: –– 20SHTL: ––