Notre Dame football star credits his ability to always 'find the ball' for success

It’s hard to believe that in his first three years with the Notre Dame football team, Xavier Watts didn’t record a single turnover. He didn’t intercept a pass or recover a fumble. While he was a good player, he was simply not known for that kind of thing.

In the last two seasons, Watts was able to completely change the kind of player he is. Playing out of the safety position, Watts got his first career fumble recovery. But that wasn’t the really impressive thing. Plenty of defenders will eventually get a fumble recovery in four seasons.

Where the Notre Dame football star really turned into a ball hawk was through the interception. He had seven of them in 2023. And through five games this season, he already has two. And its his second one this season that shows that while ballhawking to the level he’s doing it is mostly luck, it takes some skill to generate that luck.

After the game against Louisville, when he recorded an interception thanks to a Cardinal catching the ball, having it flutter out of his hands and right into Watts’ arms, he talked about how he’s turned into the guy who that always happens to.

Notre Dame football star explains ballhawking ways

"I have really good instincts,” Watts told On3’s Tyler Horka. “I'm able to find the ball, always. No matter where it's at, I'm going to find a way to get there."

While that sounds trite, it’s hard to claim it’s wrong. What other explanation is there than he’s got the instincts that tell him where to go and when to go there.

Notre Dame football has certainly benefitted from that. And they get it for at least another seven games. Hopefully more than that when its all said and done.