Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts wins Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Xavier Watts burst onto the national scene with an unbelievable performance in Notre Dame’s Week 7 win over USC. Less than two months later, the senior safety took home a prestigious award.
Watts won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to college football’s national defensive player of the year. The trophy’s recipient is decided by the Football Writers Association of America, who announced Watts as the winner Monday night.
The former wide receiver, who took reps on offense as recently as fall camp of 2022, led the nation with 7 interceptions this season. Against USC, Watts picked off Trojans quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams twice. He also forced a fumble and recovered another one, which he returned for a touchdown.
Two weeks later, Notre Dame’s first bye week, Watts did it again. He intercepted another 2 passes against Pittsburgh, and one week after that, he picked off Clemson sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik to spark a comeback attempt against the Tigers.
Before the USC game, Watts already had 2 interceptions: first against North Carolina State, then against Duke. The Duke quarterback Watts picked off was Riley Leonard, who will visit Notre Dame as a transfer portal target later this week. The NC State pick was Watts’ first career interception, coming off a tipped pass in Wolfpack territory.
The Omaha (Neb.) Burke graduate added 47 tackles and 4 passes defended to his banner year. Back in fall camp, Watts was seen as a breakout candidate after a strong finish to the 2022 season. He certainly broke out, and then some.
Watts finished the season tied for sixth on Notre Dame’s all-time single-season interception leaderboard. Linebacker Manti Te’o had 7 in 2012, as did four other safeties: Harrison Smith in 2010, Shane Walton in 2002, Dave Duerson in 1982 and Clarence Ellis in 1970.
The last Notre Dame player to win the Nagurski Trophy was Te’o with his 7-interception season in 2012, in which he finished second in Heisman Trophy voting and led Notre Dame to the national championship game. Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. won the award in the past two seasons.
The other four finalists were Iowa junior cornerback Cooper DeJean, Georgia sophomore safety Malaki Starks, Iowa senior defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and NC State graduate linebacker Payton Wilson.
Watts has one more year of eligibility and can return to Notre Dame in 2024 if he chooses.
