Despite Xavier Watts having two of the best seasons by a Notre Dame football defensive back in recent memory, there are some weird hangups about whether or not the Omaha native can replicate what he did in South Bend at the next level.
That’s why most of the Mock Drafts for Watts are not nearly as impressive as they should be for a safety who should have been a two-time consensus All-American. However, it’s possible that Watts went a long way towards convincing NFL teams he was worth a higher pick when he worked out at Notre Dame’s Pro Day this week.
"I’m pretty satisfied with it,” The Notre Dame football star said after running a 4.56 40-yard dash. “A lot of people thought I was really slow, so I’m glad I came out here and did what I needed to do.”
WATCH: Former #NDFootball 2x All-America safety Xavier Watts on what it meant to have his father, Jeff Watts @jeffwattsjr81 , on the field with him at #NotreDame Pro Day. #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/4ClHaHYqWm
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) March 27, 2025
Notre Dame football star shows what he can do at the next level
Of course, Fighting Irish fans could have told anyone willing to listen that he wasn’t slow. He’s got good speed for a safety and doesn’t project as a corner in the NFL. That’s ok because he didn’t project as a corner in college either.
And Xavier Watts was still very obviously one of the best at his position. Not just in the last two years but in the last couple of decades. That’s why Mocks showing him going in the 4th or 5th round seemed ridiculous.
The good news is that the NFL Mock Drafts appear to be recognizing the talent Watts is. One of the latest has him going in the middle of the second round.
Still, the Notre Dame football star can do better than that. He knows it. The NFL should know it too.