Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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54 MARCH 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER Just a couple days after Xavier Watts picked his col- lege classes, news broke that Chip Long would be leav- ing the Notre Dame football program after spending three years as the Fighting Irish of- fensive coordinator. The news initially shocked Watts and his family, but af- ter getting on the phone with wide receivers coach Del Al- exander the 5-11, 185-pound playmaker was put at ease. Watts put pen to paper with the Fighting Irish Dec. 18 and enrolled in January 2020. "They're so honest and genuine with me," Watts said about the Notre Dame staff. "They think I'm a really good talent and want me to make an impact. They're excited about me." Michael Mayer, Jordan Johnson and Chris Tyree have received the headlines as the top offensive play- makers in the 2020 class for Notre Dame, and rightfully so. But Watts should not be overlooked. During his outstanding prep ca- reer, Watts recorded 163 receptions for 2,978 yards and 36 scores, while also totaling 136 tackles, nine inter- ceptions and 13 passes defended. He was named the 2019 Journal Star Boys Athlete of the Year and holds the Omaha (Neb.) Burke High School major career receiving records. "It was a great four years; I'm glad I went to Burke," Watts said. "The staff is great and it's a great school overall. The football coaches taught me life lessons to help me be- come a better, tougher player. I'm thankful for all of that." Three weeks before Watts committed to the Fighting Irish, he narrowed down his choices to Iowa State, Michi- gan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Despite Watts being ranked a three-star recruit according to Rivals, the Fighting Irish staff saw him as a huge priority. Watts will begin his Notre Dame career as a receiver in spring practices, but he is also an exceptional defensive back. The defensive coaches would love to have him on that side of the ball, if possible. "If it doesn't work at receiver, I'll probably just switch over to defense, and I'd be fine with that," Watts said. "But I prefer offense right now." ✦ Xavier Watts Is Capable Of Making An Immediate Impact Watts, a 5-11, 185-pound two-way standout for Omaha (Neb.) Burke High, compiled career stats of 163 receptions for 2,978 yards and 36 touchdowns. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM XAVIER WATTS WIDE RECEIVER 5-11 · 185 BURKE OMAHA, NEB. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 89 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 64 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 272 45 2 STATISTICS • Had a prolific career, recording nine rushes for 88 yards and one touchdown; 163 receptions for 2,978 yards and 36 scores; 136 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, nine interceptions (one returned for a score), 13 passes defended and 40 career touchdowns. • As a senior, he had six rushes for 85 yards and one touchdown; 61 receptions for 1,072 yards and 13 scores; 68 tackles, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, seven passes defended and two defensive touchdowns. • In 2018, Watts caught 67 passes for 1,093 yards and 14 scores, plus notched 58 tackles, five interceptions and six passes defended. • Is Burke's career leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. • Helped lead Burke to a perfect 13-0 record in 2018, capped off by the Class A Nebraska state championship. • Holds the Burke record for most touchdown receptions in a single game with four. • Had 11 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in 2018 state title triumph. • Won all-class gold medal at the 2019 Nebraska state track meet in the 4x100 with a time of 42.41. NOTABLE • Born on Nov. 22, 2001 • 2019 Journal Star Boys Athlete of the Year • Local Fox 42's Thursday Night Lights Scholar Athlete of the Year • Won the 2019 Nebraska High School Score- board Show Heisman Award • No. 1 recruit in Nebraska per Omaha.com • First Nebraskan to play for Notre Dame since offensive lineman Trevor Robinson (2008-11) ALL-STAR GAMES • Did not participate in a postseason all-star game RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on July 5, 2019 and enrolled in January 2020. • Visited Nebraska a couple of times in the weeks leading up to his commitment announce- ment but picked the Irish. • Narrowed down his list of schools to Iowa State, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennes- see and Wisconsin on June 10, 2019. • Recruited by wide receivers coach Del Alexan- der and former offensive coordinator Chip Long. • Officially visited Notre Dame on June 21, 2019, and unofficially visited for the USC game on Oct. 12, 2019. 2020 PROJECTION • There are openings at the receiver position, so as an early enrollee Watts has the chance to play as a freshman. He could help out on special teams as well. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "This is a serious in- dividual that takes his craft, that takes being a competitor and a winner to the next level, and he's going to influence others around him. That's really what stood out. Certainly, he's got all the skills, but everybody's got the ability to play at this level. We just love those other things about him." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "He's a precise route runner with speed and strong hands, great acceleration and always gives ter- rific effort. He shows outstanding agility and a long wingspan. He has had only a couple of drops over the past two years. He still needs to hit the weights, but has the vertical and burst to excel at the WR position. He's a vertical threat and a red zone threat; he can catch everything within his frame."