'20 NE WR Xavier Watts (Notre Dame Man)

[tko]

Checking the roster for weight. I'd love to know how that conversation went.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

He's listed at 195 pounds on the roster so he's a project in the physical sense as well.

So the scholarship WRs on the roster are:

Lenzy
Davis
Austin
Wilkins
Colzie
Styles
Salerno (he's on scholly now, right?)

I hope this isn't about getting bodies to the LB position because if an inexperienced and undersized Watts is getting non-garbage time snaps that's... not a good thing.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

A lot of people said he was a better safety prospect coming out of high school

 

[pumpdog20]

We moved a WR to LB. Bold move Cotton, hope it plays out well.

 

[DONTH8]

A lot of people said he was a better safety prospect coming out of high school

I remember Lea joking with him over skype on signing day about making one last pitch for him to play defense.

 

[tko]

Tackle somebody

 

[IrishLax]

This is so whack. He is nowhere close to big enough to play LB right now.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Am I the only one who doesn't like this? I thought he could be pretty explosive from the slot. Thought this may move him to #2 behind Davis, but then again I could be wrong. I just feel like there are other options. JB could slide back and play Will, and keep Kollie at rover? IDK

 

[Dale]

I’d be surprised if he’s playing “LB” between the tackles. I’m thinking of him as essentially a passing down Nickel mentally.

 

[tko]

Where is Brian VanGorder?

 

[Dale]

I’d be surprised if he’s playing “LB” between the tackles. I’m thinking of him as essentially a passing down Nickel mentally.

This someone draws my own question on Ghee or other freshman DBs though

 

[Luckylucci]

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

We need the depth at S too. And those guys needs to be ready to play S next year when we lose both Griffith and Hamilton.

He's listed at 195 pounds on the roster so he's a project in the physical sense as well.

So the scholarship WRs on the roster are:

Lenzy
Davis
Austin
Wilkins
Colzie
Styles
Salerno (he's on scholly now, right?)

I hope this isn't about getting bodies to the LB position because if an inexperienced and undersized Watts is getting non-garbage time snaps that's... not a good thing.

I posted on this in Amorion Walker's thread, little did I know we'd be getting these answers so soon, lol. WR depth could get scary next year. Love the talent they're bringing in but that depth chart could be deadly with an injury or two (knock on wood). I think a Wilkins 5th year might be the 5 star recruit of the offseason, only slightly kidding.

A lot of people said he was a better safety prospect coming out of high school

This. And, it's either lose him as a WR transfer or lose him as a defensive transfer. Might as well try it. Hopefully he's open too it.

I also think this could be more about getting him into some tackling situations in practice and on ST's. Just a hunch but I mentioned yesterday that they need to get bodies to ST's to take those snaps from the 2 deep defenders.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

We moved a WR to LB. Bold move Cotton, hope it plays out well.

Worked for James Onwualu

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I’d be surprised if he’s playing “LB” between the tackles. I’m thinking of him as essentially a passing down Nickel mentally.

Yeah but if you want him to buy in you have to sell him on a future at the position.

 

[BobbyMac]

Kelly called it Rover. Sounds like this is a Freeman Sniper version of a Rover. His Sniper last year was 5-10/205 and led the team in tackles.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

He's listed at 195 pounds on the roster so he's a project in the physical sense as well.

So the scholarship WRs on the roster are:

Lenzy
Davis
Austin
Wilkins
Colzie
Styles
Salerno (he's on scholly now, right?)

I hope this isn't about getting bodies to the LB position because if an inexperienced and undersized Watts is getting non-garbage time snaps that's... not a good thing.

+Jayden Thomas

 

[Irish#1]

I don't think BK would have announced this if he wasn't open to it. Balis probably just added protein shakes to his breakfast, lunch and dinners.

 

[Luckylucci]

Brian Kelly Notebook | 9.9 | Irish Sports Daily

He's involved in more special teams right away now.

I mentioned this yesterday and above. There are a few reasons that this would make sense (engagement and position flex on defense) but this quote from Kelly's presser stands out.

I would guess, moving him to Rover allows him to work more tackling and block destruction than say at DB or S during practice.

I think this has become a little bit of an all hands on deck for ST's and Watts is a guy they covet as an ATH.

 

[IRISHMAN]

watt is a real good athlete and if ND ever moved him to defense I always thought it would be at safety. with ND building depth at wr I wonder if after the season if watt stays on defense but shifts to safety.

 

[dublinirish]

BK has always taken kids buried on the depth chart and tried them out at other positions: Cam McDaniel, Avery Davis, CJ Prosise, Austin Collinsworth, Bennett Jackson etc. Better a kid gets a chance to play than just sit on the bench. It's a no brainer to me.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Kelly called it Rover. Sounds like this is a Freeman Sniper version of a Rover. His Sniper last year was 5-10/205 and led the team in tackles.

So did Rudy

 

[stpeteirish]

Sorry to interrupt the collective freak out here but maybe its just the case that Styles and Colzie are ready to be elevated to the 2 deep and when that happens Watts as a WR is a goner. So he moves to Rover to "see the field". Its basically a nickel back in Freeman's defense and he was a two way recruit so there's a chance. He stays at WR and those two guys jump him and he's gone and the coaches know it so they propose the move.

Give him a few reps vs Toledo, a few more each week and hope he's a fast learner.

 

[Luckylucci]

Kelly mentioned that Watts has been playing all over. Rover, Safety, and Nickel. They just want him on the field.

I’ve been wondering who they were going to get ready in the secondary for next year. Kept thinking we’d here of Barnes or Riley moving to S. But they seem to really like Watts.

 

[NDIrish88]

Wasn't Chip long and Lea fighting over him during his recruitment as to which side of the ball he'd play?

 

[rtrn2glory]

I think he deserves to be on the field. Ultimate teammate to switch position on the fly and not say a peep and just keep working.

 

[IRISHMAN]

I think he deserves to be on the field. Ultimate teammate to switch position on the fly and not say a peep and just keep working.

yeah a good looking athlete that has yet to find a position. when ND recruited him i thought he would make a good safety, could end up at safety during the spring.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Did he redshirt last year?? If so he should come into the spring with 3 years of eligibility correct?

 

[irishff1014]

I have noticed him the last 2 or 3 games really getting down the field on special teams.

 

[NDPhilly]

Definitely has the size and fluidity to play safety. Probably his best change to make the NFL right now.

 

[Domer Dude]

Best athlete in all of Nebraska during his high school days. Kid needs to be on the field.