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Xavier Watts announces decision to return to Notre Dame for 2024 season

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•12/30/23•

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watts (5)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts. (Photo by Chad Weaver)

Xavier Watts is running it back. The Bronko Nagurski Award winner is returning to Notre Dame for one more season, he announced via social media.

Watts put together a monster 2023 season for the Fighting Irish, leading the nation with seven interceptions. It was by far the best year of his career, but with one year of eligibility remaining, he’s returning to South Bend for one final season.

Watts started his career at Notre Dame as a wide receiver, but switched to defense in 2021. During his time with the Fighting Irish, he has 106 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks in addition to his seven interceptions.

Xavier Watts turned in the biggest game of his career at a good time for Notre Dame. He picked off Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, twice as the Fighting Irish knocked off rival USC this year. He followed that up with two more interceptions against Pitt the following week.

It’s welcome news for Al Golden and his defense, which is looking to build on an impressive 2023 season. Notre Dame had one of the top units in the country, ranking sixth in the nation in total defense with 276.3 total yards allowed per game.

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Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.