Xavier Watts
Career Summary
Xavier Watts is a safety from Omaha, Nebraska, who starred at Notre Dame before the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Early Life
Watts grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended Harry A. Burke High School.
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High School
At Harry A. Burke High School, Watts caught 61 passes for 1,072 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior while also recording 68 tackles and three interceptions on defense. He helped the school reach the state quarterfinals.
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College Career
Watts developed into one of Notre Dame's most decorated defensive backs. He recorded 13 career interceptions, including six in 2024, and started 33 consecutive games by the national championship game.
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Path to the NFL
After a two-time consensus All-America career at Notre Dame, Watts entered the 2025 NFL Draft. Atlanta selected him in the third round with the 96th overall pick.
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NFL Career
The Atlanta Falcons selected Watts as a safety in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 96th overall pick.
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Career Accomplishments
Watts was a consensus All-American in 2024 after being a unanimous All-American and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner in 2023. He was a two-time AFCA first-team All-American and Notre Dame's 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.
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Playing Style
NFL scouting described Watts as a versatile safety with ball skills, range and instincts from multiple alignments. His 13 interceptions over 2023 and 2024 led all FBS players during that span.
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30946, 00-0040148, 2001-11-22, Xavier Watts, Xavier, Watts
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 80.0
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.