'20 NE WR Xavier Watts (Notre Dame Man)

IAIrish

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I looked up the ND record for most career interceptions and he’s 5 or 6 behind so that’s not happening but I bet he has the most as a ratio of games started.
Then watch him go on an absolute tear through the playoffs... it's not out of the realm of possibility to have a couple multi interception games.

Add to it he'll be facing a qb in cold weather impacting accuracy and a backup in the 2nd round.
 

zelezo vlk

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Greg Flammang of ISD is in Driskell's corner here. He's breaking out the stats on Hit & Hustle
 

Wild Bill

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Yes, because Driskell watches every game and is all knowing
I get that a lot of people dislike this guy, and it’s very fashionable to criticize him around here - he is a windbag, no doubt. Still, based on the little I’ve seen of him breaking down film, it seems he has a strong understanding of the game.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s all knowing, and you’re probably right, he hasn’t watched every snap of every safety in the country. I wouldn’t be shocked if he watched every snap Watts played and whoever made first team. He seems like a lunatic who’s crazy enough to put in that kind of effort.

What a bad look for those assholes. So far the only group who has not put him in the upper echelon. Where does Xavier rank in the advanced metrics? Am I blind to a safety more deserving?

I think Caleb Downs is better than Watts, and that really shouldn't be taken as criticism of Watts. Downs is elite and without him, I think OSU's defense is only slightly above average.
 

Veritate Duce Progredi

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I get that a lot of people dislike this guy, and it’s very fashionable to criticize him around here - he is a windbag, no doubt. Still, based on the little I’ve seen of him breaking down film, it seems he has a strong understanding of the game.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s all knowing, and you’re probably right, he hasn’t watched every snap of every safety in the country. I wouldn’t be shocked if he watched every snap Watts played and whoever made first team. He seems like a lunatic who’s crazy enough to put in that kind of effort.



I think Caleb Downs is better than Watts, and that really shouldn't be taken as criticism of Watts. Downs is elite and without him, I think OSU's defense is only slightly above average.
You do know there are 2 safeties selected to the first team? Do you know who the other safety was they put ahead of Watts? How much do you like him? And where do you think he played better than Watts this year?
 

Wild Bill

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You do know there are 2 safeties selected to the first team? Do you know who the other safety was they put ahead of Watts? How much do you like him? And where do you think he played better than Watts this year?
You asked "Am I blind to A safety more deserving?"

I gave you one which is what you asked for, and never suggested Watts wouldn't be the other one deserving. If you read my entire post it suggests, though it's not entirely obvious, that I agree with Driskell - he should be 1st team.
 

CanadalovesND

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Downs, Starks & Watts were all battling for recognition across all the first-team All-American lists. One of them was bound to not have Watts on it.
 

Pointman02

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I’d be upset if I weren’t so happy he’s the guy we’ve had at Notre Dame. Watts has been perhaps the best defensive player in CFB the last two years, he’s been at his most electrifying in the biggest games, he did it all at Notre Dame through personal ups and downs, and stayed for this year when he could’ve easily gone pro. Nothing the Football Writers say or do can add or detract from his legend.
 

rtrn2glory

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He is starting to remind me of Tommy Z.

The ball just has a way of finding him.
 

Terry Jillery

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Saw him while I was getting some last minute groceries at Whole Foods last night. Wanted to say good luck but pussed out.
 
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Pointman02

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No, I actually sold a couple of my tix to parents of a student team manager. Being in town for the game was their chance to spend some holiday time with their daughter, unless ND lost the game. They also didn’t go home for Thanksgiving (obviously, with th me USC game 2 days later).
 

stlnd01

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"Double domer." Did he actually get a masters degree? Most of them don't.

Would he have somehow had another year of eligibility? He WAS here in 2020, only appeared in two games, then played nearly every game of the next four seasons. But maybe he'd have had an extra Covid year in his back pocket?
 

CanadalovesND

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"Double domer." Did he actually get a masters degree? Most of them don't.

Would he have somehow had another year of eligibility? He WAS here in 2020, only appeared in two games, then played nearly every game of the next four seasons. But maybe he'd have had an extra Covid year in his back pocket?

This past season was his extra year from COVID.
 

Huntr

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This dude is up there with Timmy Brown as my favorite ND players ever. It has been an extraordinary pleasure watching him play for ND.
 
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