'20 NE WR Xavier Watts (Notre Dame Man)

[InKellyWeTrust]

We get 1 Kyle Hamilton and now all our safties on the roster are future NFLers.

 

[Luckylucci]

We get 1 Kyle Hamilton and now all our safties on the roster are future NFLers.

To be fair, isn't there a difference between Kyle Hamilton, first round draft pick, and 20-30 other S's that are drafted every year? I mean, I think it's very likely that we have some NFL S's on this roster but those might be 5th and 6th round NFL picks in 2-3 years.

 

[irishff1014]

It's actually pretty fitting when you think about the fact that he was moved to safety because of the staffs and ability to properly recruit that position as well LOL

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

Mostly former staff ability to recruit.

 

[Dale]

He’s both a third stringer and yet a near lock to start next year at the same time at safety. Weird spot to be in. At WR, he’s stuck in this middle area where it’s unlikely he gets significant PT but yet unlikely he’ll just ride the bench, barring another injury.

Rare case where we actually do see him try to play both ways (+ ST)?

 

[ulukinatme]

Is there any reason to think he can't play both positions? Obviously he's not taking every snap on offense, but Adoree did it for USC and occasionally lined up at WR.

 

[Crazy Balki]

To be fair, isn't there a difference between Kyle Hamilton, first round draft pick, and 20-30 other S's that are drafted every year? I mean, I think it's very likely that we have some NFL S's on this roster but those might be 5th and 6th round NFL picks in 2-3 years.

Joseph is projected to be one of, if not, the first safety taken in next year's draft. Very possible he ends up being a 1st.

Too early to tell on guys like Henderson or Walters.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Question? So I think Thomas was a better fit as a starter then Avery Davis and would eventually replace him during the season. Xavier looked pretty sick on film in HS at WR. Do you all think the WR core as a whole is better replacing Avery Davis for Xavier?

Highly doubtful.

I think Thomas is going to prove to be a very good receiver for us, and I can see him being better than Davis. However, I don't think we needed to choose between the two. We could've had both Davis and Thomas both line up, with Styles and rotate Meriweather, Wilkins and Colzie in as needed.

I just don't know what we're getting with Watts back at receiver. He may end up surprising, but I can't imagine they'd have been so quick to move him to defense if he was making noise at receiver last year. Now he's being thrust into receiver after spending almost a year at LB/S.

 

[ulukinatme]

Question? So I think Thomas was a better fit as a starter then Avery Davis and would eventually replace him during the season. Xavier looked pretty sick on film in HS at WR. Do you all think the WR core as a whole is better replacing Avery Davis for Xavier?

I never saw Xavier's WR film, but it could be apples to oranges. Is he a better route runner? Does he have better hands? I know one thing is for sure, Avery had great acceleration and got upfield in a hurry once he got the ball.

 

[fightingirish26]

Highly doubtful.

I think Thomas is going to prove to be a very good receiver for us, and I can see him being better than Davis. However, I don't think we needed to choose between the two. We could've had both Davis and Thomas both line up, with Styles and rotate Meriweather, Wilkins and Colzie in as needed.

I just don't know what we're getting with Watts back at receiver. He may end up surprising, but I can't imagine they'd have been so quick to move him to defense if he was making noise at receiver last year. Now he's being thrust into receiver after spending almost a year at LB/S.

If Jayden Thomas is better right now than Davis was last season, I'd be thrilled (and shocked).

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I never saw Xavier's WR film, but it could be apples to oranges. Is he a better route runner? Does he have better hands? I know one thing is for sure, Avery had great acceleration and got upfield in a hurry once he got the ball.

"I've never watched Xavier play... But I'll going to start speculating anyway"

 

[ulukinatme]

"I've never watched Xavier play... But I'll going to start speculating anyway"

You wanna bring something to the discussion? I at least made a point about Avery's play and asked some questions of my own.

 

[Crazy Balki]

If Jayden Thomas is better right now than Davis was last season, I'd be thrilled (and shocked).

I wouldn't really be that shocked.

Thomas is built like a truck for a receiver and can move really well. But on top of that, he's been allowed to develop and get coached up at the receiver spot, while Davis has had to flip flop from like 4 different positions over his first 4 years.

While Davis was a 5th year in '21, it was still only his 2nd full year at receiver.

 

[Riddickulous]

He's looked promising these last few weeks filling in at safety. I like the upside here.

 

[CanadalovesND]

He's looked promising these last few weeks filling in at safety. I like the upside here.

He threw Morehead down like he was nothing - 6'5" 230 Ibs QB vs 6'0'' 195 Ibs DB. I was amazed at the pure strength and tenacity he showed on that play alone.

 

[irishff1014]

 

[IrishLax]

Someone needs to send Golden a fruit basket with a handwritten note that says “Please stop sending safety blitzes from Siberia. They are never going to get there.”

 

[DONTH8]

Watts honestly is a stud. I hope he gets lots of burn next year.

 

[Luckylucci]

That was such a great individual effort. The type of play that makes you feel good about his progress into next season for a, possibly, starting role.

 

[jprue24]

I guess Golden disguised that coverage well......

 

[Luckylucci]

This is fun. Looking forward to his Spring and Summer camp ascension.

 

[IA4irish]

Please please have him start. Dude makes plays.

 

[Irish du Nord]

This is fun. Looking forward to his Spring and Summer camp ascension.

The sword in sheath celebration is a nice touch that I missed at the time

 

[Irishokie]

The sword in sheath celebration is a nice touch that I missed at the time

I think that’s a buckling of the belt haha

 

[ozzman]

Cool game day feature.

 

[calvegas04]

Fully video

 

[indianamouse]

Fully video

Love it

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Great video. Really playing solid ball this year

 

[Luckylucci]

He is playing good ball. Though, I still feel like there is another level of his game to be unlocked. And, that’s a compliment to how good I think he can be.

 

[ozzman]

He is playing good ball. And, yet, I still feel like there is a other level of his game to be unlocked

Agreed. He's made some really good plays and you can tell he's still learning the position.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Minnesota made!