WATCH: Hyde and Singer react to comments from Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Gerad Parker
In a weekly YouTube live show, Blue & Gold’s Tim Hyde and Mike Singer discuss and react to the latest news and notes in the world of Notre Dame football and recruiting.
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker spoke with the media about the lack of play action calls against Clemson and more, which the guys discussed. Marcus Freeman also confirmed that the Irish will look to the portal for a quarterback for the 2024 season. What do Singer and Hyde make of this news?
The show aired live on the Blue & Gold YouTube page Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. Watch a replay of this week’s show in the video player above.
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Notre Dame S Xavier Watts named finalist for Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Notre Dame senior safety Xavier Watts could win one of college football’s most prestigious awards for his breakout 2023 season. Watts was named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the top defensive player in college football.
The other four finalists are Iowa junior cornerback Cooper DeJean, Georgia sophomore safety Malaki Starks, Iowa senior defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and NC State graduate linebacker Payton Wilson. The Nagurski Trophy winner is selected by the Football Writers Association of America and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Watts burst onto the national scene with his performance against USC, in which he 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.
The former wide receiver, who was taking reps on offense as recently as fall camp of 2020, leads the nation with 7 interceptions 10 games into the season. No other player had more than 5, with Boston College’s Elijah Jones, Maryland’s Tarheeb Still, Wisconsin’s Ricardo Hallman, Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston, Iowa State’s Jeremiah Cooper, Buffalo’s Devin Grant and Liberty’s Brylan Green currently tied for second.
So far, Watts is also 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.
