'20 NE WR Xavier Watts (Notre Dame Man)

[greyhammer90]

Already earned his Notre Dame Man badge....wow.

Can we please use this opportunity to change it to "Loyal Son"?

1. It's right there in the song
2. It's way cooler
3. Notre Dame Man is too similar to Michigan Man for comfort

 

[KMac151993]

Is he the best safety at ND ever?

 

[greyhammer90]

Is he the best safety at ND ever?

The fact that he's in the conversation is incredible given his whole career path at ND. When people say to trust the coaching process and do what's best for the team, he's a prime example.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Is he the best safety at ND ever?

Ima say no because I’m biased towards Jeff Burris. But it’s close IMO.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

He might not be the best ever, but he has a nose for the ball better than anyone who’s come before him.

That’s good enough for praise.

 

[SWirishfan]

Ima say no because I’m biased towards Jeff Burris. But it’s close IMO.

I remember Burris being a CB across from Tom Carter and Bobby Taylor.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I remember Burris being a CB across from Tom Carter and Bobby Taylor.

And a running back at times.

 

[greyhammer90]

And a running back at times.

Poor guy had the craziest weight fluctuations

 

[SWirishfan]

And a running back at times.

I was just looking through some old rosters and it is funny how often I saw his position listed as RB.
Brooks - Bettis - Burris was a great jumbo backfield

 

[greyhammer90]

I was just looking through some old rosters and it is funny how often I saw his position listed as RB.
Brooks - Bettis - Burris was a great jumbo backfield

10 rushing TDs is nothing to sneeze at. Incredible football player

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I remember Burris being a CB across from Tom Carter and Bobby Taylor.

He came is as RB and played as a RB in goal line packages. He also played and scored on STs. He played all positions in secondary but ended up as leaving as an All -American FS.

In the NFL he was primarily a CB I believe.

Burris had 10 Ints in 42 games, 10 rushing tds, 1 pass Td, 1 punt return TD. Captain. All-American. First Round draft pick. Dude was super important some of the best ND teams ever.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I was just looking through some old rosters and it is funny how often I saw his position listed as RB.
Brooks - Bettis - Burris was a great jumbo backfield

I was stationed with a guy from Rock Hill in the early 90’s and he watched the games with me. Never stopped raving and bragging about Jeff. I’ll never forget him… or Jeff because of him, lol!

 

[Ndaccountant]

He is up there for sure, but guys like Burris, Hamilton, Harrison Smith and Zibby are there too. Tough to say, they all had some outstanding qualities.

 

[zelezo vlk]

X is likely to have the greatest accolades of any ND safety. He already has Burris beat on interceptions and is 1 away from tying Duerson's 12. He's the reigning Nagurski winner, was a UNANIMOUS All American in '23 and has played even better this year. We really aren't appreciating how well X has been playing

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

X is likely to have the greatest accolades of any ND safety. He already has Burris beat on interceptions and is 1 away from tying Duerson's 12. He's the reigning Nagurski winner, was a UNANIMOUS All American in '23 and has played even better this year. We really aren't appreciating how well X has been playing

I wonder if he will get another First Team AA this year. After all, he was only second team AA in the preseason.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I was stationed with a guy from Rock Hill in the early 90’s and he watched the games with me. Never stopped raving and bragging about Jeff. I’ll never forget him… or Jeff because of him, lol!

Well you got me now lol. Jeff and my sister were mister and miss all school athlete at that school. I was four years behind them in HS but he was a legend even then. Great family. Great guy. All class. Did anything and everything. Was pretty good at basketball and baseball if I recall as well.

Back to X though. Dude is a baller no doubt.

 

[ulukinatme]

I would rank Watts right next to Zibby. I think people forget sometimes how disruptive Tommy was as a Safety, not to mention his contributions in Special Teams.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Harrison Smith will be NFL Hall of Famer.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Harrison Smith will be NFL Hall of Famer.

Unfortunately, ND wasted most of his college career.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

He is up there for sure, but guys like Burris, Hamilton, Harrison Smith and Zibby are there too. Tough to say, they all had some outstanding qualities.

Thats a tough group of bad hombres.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Unfortunately, ND wasted most of his college career.

At linebacker...

 

[ulukinatme]

Can we please use this opportunity to change it to "Loyal Son"?

1. It's right there in the song
2. It's way cooler
3. Notre Dame Man is too similar to Michigan Man for comfort

I'm fine with "Loyal Son," but honestly there's no problem with "Notre Dame Man" either. Lots of schools use this moniker. Ohio State Man, a true Northwestern Man, a Texas Man, etc. Those are just a few quick ones I found online, but I've heard others over the years.

As far as Watts being deserving of the title, I absolutely agree. Many players today would rather transfer out if they're not a starter within a year or two, much less be asked to change positions...and then to make the change multiple times for your team? He's right there with Avery Davis as far as being a true team player and doing whatever was asked of him. It paid off in a big way last season when he won the Nagurski.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

IF we go away from "Notre Dame Man" to "Loyal Son" then every past NDM should get an edit.

 

[FU BK]

Boy, that list with Dylan Thieneman is even more of a joke now. Dude got abused at the 2 Purdue games I've been to this year...ND and unfortunately Pedo State

 

[stlnd01]

Harrison Smith will be NFL Hall of Famer.

There are likely better NFL safeties who’ve come from Notre Dame. Smith, hopefully Kyle Hamilton, Dave Duerson (RIP) if you want to throw it back.

I’m hard pressed except maybe Zbikowski to think of one who was more impactful while at Notre Dame than Watts has been. Maybe Duerson, who was a two-time All-American.

 

[ulukinatme]

There are likely better NFL safeties who’ve come from Notre Dame. Smith, hopefully Kyle Hamilton, Dave Duerson (RIP) if you want to throw it back.

I’m hard pressed except maybe Zbikowski to think of one who was more impactful while at Notre Dame than Watts has been. Maybe Duerson, who was a two-time All-American.

One cool thing Watts and Zbikowski have in common: both showed out big time against our biggest rival, USC.

 

[GATTACA!]

One cool thing Watts and Zbikowski have in common: both showed out big time against our biggest rival, USC.

How tragic that those X highlights are commentated by Jack 🤮

 

[ulukinatme]

How tragic that this X highlights are commentated by Jack 🤮

I don't know why ya'll always hatin' on Jac. Nepotism? Probably. I don't think he's that bad, and he's an alumni.

 

[greyhammer90]

IF we go away from "Notre Dame Man" to "Loyal Son" then every past NDM should get an edit.

For sure. That's what I am arguing for.

 

[Punky]

There are likely better NFL safeties who’ve come from Notre Dame. Smith, hopefully Kyle Hamilton, Dave Duerson (RIP) if you want to throw it back.

I’m hard pressed except maybe Zbikowski to think of one who was more impactful while at Notre Dame than Watts has been. Maybe Duerson, who was a two-time All-American.

Tom Schoen was a pretty good safety in the 60's, consensus All-America and I think led the nation in INTs one year. He spent 2 years in the Army out of ND, never did much in the pros after that. And of course back in the 2-way days, Johnny Lujack was a safety on defense, and he won the Heisman.