Notre Dame football: 4 players who (probably) won’t be back in 2024

Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with safety Xavier Watts (0) after Watts intercepted a pass in the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-20. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) scores a touchdown in front of USC Trojans wide receiver Mario Williams (4) after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-20. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Xavier Watts, junior

Now, Watts isn’t really on the radar of many NFL talent evaluators right now, but he opened some eyes with his performance against USC. The junior safety had eight tackles against the Trojans, which was a career-high, but the least impressive part of his stat line.

Watt finished that game with two interceptions of Caleb Williams, a forced fumble, and recovery. He was the best player on the field in a game littered with NFL talent and he could capitalize on that momentum by leaving for the league a year early.

Notre Dame mascot Ryan Coury, center is squeezed between Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Joe Alt (76), offensive lineman Rocco Spindler (50) as quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) and offensive lineman Blake Fisher (54) all sing the alma mater song after the game of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl of an NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish held off the South Carolina Gamecocks 45-38. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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Notre Dame Football’s offensive lineman earns exceptional NFL praise

Notre Dame Football has had an up-and-down season, but one offensive lineman has impressed plenty of scouts and analysts all fall.

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