The great one
Xavier Watts continues the strong All-American football tradition at Notre Dame, by becoming a Consensus All-American in 2024. The only outlet dumb enough NOT to have Xavier on its first team, ironically enough, is the FWAA — which is the organization I have a vote with this season. That 2nd team honor kept Watts from being a Unanimous All-American
From the ND press release:
Watts Earns Consensus All-America Honors, First Two-Time Irish Consensus Honoree since 1993
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – One of the most decorated Notre Dame football players in program history, graduate safety Xavier Watts has been named a consensus First-Team All-American for his performance in the 2024 season, following up a 2023 unanimous All-America showing. Watts becomes one of just 17 Irish players all-time to be a two-time consensus honoree, and the first to do so since 1993.
Watts is one of two repeat consensus All-Americans across the FBS in 2024, joining Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Watts earns Notre Dame its 111th consensus All-America selection. He joins an illustrious list of fellow Notre Dame two-time consensus All-America selections:
Frank Carideo, back (1929, 1930)
Marchy Schwartz, back (1930, 1931)
Bob Dove, end (1941, 1942)
George Connor, tackle (1946, 1947)
John Lujack, back (1946, 1947)
Bill Fischer, guard (1947, 1948)
Leon Hart, end (1948, 1949)
Emil Sitko, back (1948, 1949)
John Lattner, back (1952, 1953)
Ross Browner, defensive end (1976, 1977)
Ken MacAfee, tight end (1976, 1977)
Bob Crable, linebacker (1980, 1981)
Michael Stonebreaker, linebacker (1988, 1990)
Todd Lyght, defensive back (1989, 1990)
Chris Zorich, defensive line (1989, 1990)
Aaron Taylor, offensive line (1992, 1993)A 2024 Team Captain, Watts was named a 2024 First-Team All-American for the second-consecutive season by the Associated Press, Walter Camp, The Sporting News and the AFCA, earning second-team honors from the FWAA in 2024.
Watts has also been named a First-Team All-American by The Athletic, USA TODAY, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report. Watts was named a First-Team Midseason All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News, PFF, Athlon Sports, The Athletic and CBS Sports.
Watts earned Notre Dame’s program Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, and he was named a semifinalist for the 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Watts has totaled 12-career interceptions, the most by a Notre Dame player since 1996. He is the 19th Notre Dame player to intercept 10 or more passes and is tied for eighth on the all-time list for career interceptions in program history.
Watts ranks third in the nation in total interceptions (5), fourth in the nation in interceptions per game (0.4), and 12th in the country in passes defended (1.2 per game).
Notre Dame has gained 28 turnovers this season (tied for first in the nation). Watts is responsible for six of them (five interceptions, one fumble recovery).
The Irish defense is one of the most complete defenses in the country, ranking among the FBS’ top teams. At the end of the regular season, Notre Dame was first in team passing efficiency defense (94.10), first in turnovers gained (28), first in defensive touchdowns (6), third in scoring defense (13.6), fourth in passing yards allowed (157.9), fourth in interceptions (17), seventh in fumbles recovered (11), ninth in red zone defense (0.733), 10th in total defense (296.8) and 10th in first downs defense (197).