'20 NE WR Xavier Watts (Notre Dame Man)

[Luckylucci]

Let's put it this way, if Davis gets beat out for a starting roll that's a VERY good thing because he's at very least a competent starting slot receiver.

I think that's a very good way to put it.

Some random thoughts on it.

I think we're going to see some transfers at WR because we're running into a log jam at some of these positions. So, if that occurs this could all change. But, at the present.

With Austin missing Spring ball we don't have anyone returning at W. Move Johnson out there are give him all the reps he can handle. This could get him ready for the #1 role at W in 22', when we head to the Horseshoe.

I would also like to see Wilkins get cross trained there because I think he's a vastly underrated route runner and he needs actual game snaps, IMO. What a guy like Lenzy has in speed but unnatural WR skills, Wilkins is the opposite in that he just works over DB's in short and intermediate routes to get open. Unsure why he wasn't used more.

The X spot is a log jam at the present. Moving Johnson and Wilkins cross training helps spread out reps and gives more guys a chance to get on the field. That also opens up the possibility of moving Watts to X or starting Styles there.

 

[ulukinatme]

Our QB while serviceable was not going to make any of our WRs look draftable. Our WR were great blockers and I’m sure a lot better than the newbies. Book does it know how to effectively use anything than the TE or RB as evidenced all season by his fear of mistakes. When our guys Ben and Javon were given their 50/50 chances they shined. Phil would have made them all look alit better. Their I said it. Let’s see who stays healthy this year and let’s crows our fingers for a blue gold game.

If Book doesn't know how to effectively use anything other than TE or RB, then how did Claypool and Boykin get drafted? How did he hit Chris Finke for 1250 yards from 2017-2019? Does it not seem more likely that we lost all of Book's leading targets from last year and the next guys up struggled quite a bit until they found their footing?

 

[dad4aa]

If Book doesn't know how to effectively use anything other than TE or RB, then how did Claypool and Boykin get drafted? How did he hit Chris Finke for 1250 yards from 2017-2019? Does it not seem more likely that we lost all of Book's leading targets from last year and the next guys up struggled quite a bit until they found their footing?

Now why do you bring facts and logic into this?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Maybe I somehow missed this, but...

At the end of yesterday's Irish Illustrated Podcast, Prister squeezed in (right before signing off) that "one of the reasons you didn't hear about Watts is because he was injured in the Spring after week 1 of practice"

That's it, no further explanation. Obviously he "played" in the spring game, but I guess dealt with in injury? No idea if he completely missed practices or pushed through? Also no mention of what type of injury.

Really intriguing though. I was hoping for a big spring from him, but maybe this is why not? Maybe a big summer conditioning / fall camp could still have a window in playing time in the fall? With Lenzy, Keyes, and Austin all injury prone he (and Styles/Colzie) may be called upon soon.

 

[stpeteirish]

he had a quad injury which limited him, Kelly mentioned on the last spring practice "presser"

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

he had a quad injury which limited him, Kelly mentioned on the last spring practice "presser"

Ah thanks - I caught almost all the pressers, guess I missed that one. Thanks!

 

[BobbyMac]

FREEBIE from Prister/247

https://247sports.com/college/notre...chers-and-Watts-Will-Be-Emphasized-167687838/

A younger player that Rees is adamant about getting in the mix with the upperclassmen is Watts, who saw nominal action in Games 2 and 3 of 2020 against South Florida and Florida State.

“He’ll be an outside guy,” said Rees of Watts, who was playing the X (field) receiver position in the spring before suffering a thigh contusion that forced him to miss the last couple weeks. “Is he field or boundary? That’s yet to be determined. He was slowed down there in the middle of the spring. Early in the spring, he was turning a lot of heads at X.

“Xavier needs to have a role. He needs to be a guy that’s contributing day-in and day-out. I truly believe he will. He has shown up for the summer looking great. There was a portion of the spring when he was doing a really good job. We’ve got to get that version of him out there all the time. I think he’s stepping up.”

 

[IrishLion]

Scary bump is scary

 

[zelezo vlk]

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[NDdomer2]

Would be huge if he steps up and becomes and every day player for us.

 

[irishandy]

Nice to see that Watts is putting in the work to get on the field and not take the easy way out of transferring.

 

[Luckylucci]

It was a good interview and I'll be looking forward to this actually happening. Need to get more guys involved. Rees has identified it, let's see what he actually does about it.

 

[Irish#1]

Would be huge if he steps up and becomes and every day player for us.

Sounds like he's done acclimating to everything and things are coming more naturally to him.

 

[BobbyMac]

Was on Youtube watching the Sox-A's Wrap up from last night and noticed BD's live feed in the margin so I clicked on it after the other vid ended.

He was was talking about Keys... I guess he broke it (on Twitter at least) and he mentioned something about Watts not being happy. (I wasn't fully listening to it) Not sure if it was from his student source(s) or if he was spitballin.

Did anyone catch that or have you heard any rumblings here?

Got zero snaps at FSU.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Is he even healthy enough to play right now?

 

[BobbyMac]

Is he even healthy enough to play right now?

No idea.

 

[T-Boone]

Was on Youtube watching the Sox-A's Wrap up from last night and noticed BD's live feed in the margin so I clicked on it after the other vid ended.

He was was talking about Keys... I guess he broke it (on Twitter at least) and he mentioned something about Watts not being happy. (I wasn't fully listening to it) Not sure if it was from his student source(s) or if he was spitballin.

Did anyone catch that or have you heard any rumblings here?

Got zero snaps at FSU.

He cant be happy about not playing or even getting close. I don't know why we talk about taking 5 WRs in a single class when so many already dont play.

 

[Luckylucci]

Who knows as he’s been a rumored transfer risk since he got on campus. But, there seems to be a scenario where WR depth next year could get weird.

 

[T-Boone]

You would think the coaches would at least give him a chance on defense if they cant get him ready at WR.

 

[Luckylucci]

You would think the coaches would at least give him a chance on defense if they cant get him ready at WR.

That sure would be some pivot. I’d be here to support it, if Watts was willing. Or at the very least ST’s.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

I hope he does get in shortly but IIRC he was held back in Fall Camp due to some sort of injury(ies).

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Was on Youtube watching the Sox-A's Wrap up from last night and noticed BD's live feed in the margin so I clicked on it after the other vid ended.

He was was talking about Keys... I guess he broke it (on Twitter at least) and he mentioned something about Watts not being happy. (I wasn't fully listening to it) Not sure if it was from his student source(s) or if he was spitballin.

Did anyone catch that or have you heard any rumblings here?

Got zero snaps at FSU.

Listened to this last night (not sure why). Coach D is the most overly dramatic person I've ever listened to on the ND circuit. He made it sound as if that ND/Del/Kelly/Rees are completely inept.

College football is what it is now. There's going to be a huge turnover of players. Especially at skill positions. Lawrence thought he deserved more, the coaches probably led that on to motivate him, but in the end they felt like they have the best group out there. With our TEs and now RBs playing WR, there's going to be fewer targets to WRs (not named Austin). Just look at Avery's total targets for crying out loud.

This is going to happen. I know the "WR room" has been hit hard, but I suspect that WRs will be the #1 transfer group nation wide. And of the WRs we have lost, Mike Young was probably the only big talent loss, and that was a Chip Long reason.

 

[IrishLion]

You would think the coaches would at least give him a chance on defense if they cant get him ready at WR.

That sure would be some pivot. I’d be here to support it, if Watts was willing. Or at the very least ST’s.

How are they going to get him ready to play on defense if he can't stay healthy enough to play on offense?

The past two times we've heard about his development and production in practice, it's followed two weeks later by reports of nagging injuries that keep him out.

Kind of a similar path with Keys, really. Every time Keys is getting rave reviews (and even performed really well in the Spring game), he ends up encountering some nagging injury that drops him down the depth chart at a crucial time.

It's a shame for both guys... we'll see how friendly the transfer market is at WR next year.

 

[T-Boone]

How are they going to get him ready to play on defense if he can't stay healthy enough to play on offense?

The past two times we've heard about his development and production in practice, it's followed two weeks later by reports of nagging injuries that keep him out.

Kind of a similar path with Keys, really. Every time Keys is getting rave reviews (and even performed really well in the Spring game), he ends up encountering some nagging injury that drops him down the depth chart at a crucial time.

It's a shame for both guys... we'll see how friendly the transfer market is at WR next year.

Okay. This is the first I have heard of his injuries.

 

[Dale]

Yes Watts was better assumed Out than practicing in spring and fall. Every time a practice report or it’d be a couple practices without seeing Watts Prister or whoever would say they heard he’s dealing with this or they saw him only doing this when asked. Don’t think I can remember hearing a week straight of practices he was fully in, spring or fall

 

[Luckylucci]

How are they going to get him ready to play on defense if he can't stay healthy enough to play on offense?

The past two times we've heard about his development and production in practice, it's followed two weeks later by reports of nagging injuries that keep him out.

Kind of a similar path with Keys, really. Every time Keys is getting rave reviews (and even performed really well in the Spring game), he ends up encountering some nagging injury that drops him down the depth chart at a crucial time.

It's a shame for both guys... we'll see how friendly the transfer market is at WR next year.

Don’t get me wrong, I said I’d be here to support it, not that I’d expect it to be successful. I kind of view it as, Watts transfers or they do something different. I’ll support do something different if it keeps him around. Some people did liked him on defense out of HS. Worth a shot.

 

[Dale]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/isdupdate/status/1436001334269030405?s=21[/TWEET]

Credit T-Boone

 

[greyhammer90]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/isdupdate/status/1436001334269030405?s=21[/TWEET]

Wat

 

[NDIrish88]

Couldn't move Khari Gee or Justin Walters to Rover, at least for this year?

 

[IrishLion]

My point about his availability stands lol