Great safeties are built, not born. Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts is living proof, transitioning from an underutilized wide receiver to a defensive juggernaut in South Bend. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 22, 2001, Watts has crafted a career that speaks to resilience and adaptability. A player who thrived under the Friday night lights, Watts’ athleticism was apparent in every route he ran and every play he made. But if you peel back the layers of his story, you’ll find that the foundation of his success started long before he ever stepped on the field – shaped by the parents who helped mold him into the player he is today.

At Harry A. Burke High School, he was nothing short of a phenom, amassing 2,978 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns during his junior year alone. But if you ask anyone who knows him, they’ll tell you those numbers only scratch the surface of who he is. His drive, humility, and knack for stepping up in big moments? That came from home.

Who is Xavier Watts’ mom?

Xavier’s success is rooted in a family ethos of determination and no excuses, epitomized by his mother, Fallon Watts. Armed with three degrees, including a master’s from Creighton University, Fallon balanced work, school, and parenting with remarkable grace. She serves as the associate registrar at Metropolitan Community College and has also taught at Clarkson College. Fallon’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance, juggling household responsibilities while advancing her career.

“Xavier saw things that probably another kid is never going to see,” she shared, reflecting on the challenges their family faced. Her ability to instill compassion and discipline in Xavier Watts is evident in his demeanor both on and off the field. Fallon’s influence is unmistakable; she raised her son in a “no-excuse zone,” a philosophy that has become the graduate student’s mantra in his athletic and personal life.

Who is Xavier Watts’ Dad?

Xavier’s father, Jeff Watts, has his own incredible story of resilience. In 2003, Jeff was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in Minneapolis. Despite this life-altering event, Jeff refused to let his circumstances define him. He spent 11 years in the hotel industry before joining his father’s screen-printing business. “Living in a wheelchair didn’t stop my dad from providing for us,” Xavier said in a tribute to his parents for Black History Month.

Jeff’s experience and attitude deeply shaped Xavier. “He saw my struggles firsthand,” Jeff noted, “and that’s a part of who he is.” Watching his father’s determination, Xavier learned to confront adversity head-on. Their relationship underscores the values of grit and perseverance that are evident every time Xavier takes the field.

Where did Xavier Watts grow up?

Once his father completed his rehabilitation, the Watts family returned to Omaha, settling near Jeff’s extended family. For Xavier, Omaha was more than just home; it was a proving ground. At Burke High School, he blossomed into a multi-sport athlete and academic standout, earning all-state honors and a spot on the honor roll each year. “Growing up in Omaha, I learned the value of hard work,” Xavier said. That small-town ethic remains a cornerstone of the 6ft, 203-pound safety’s identity, even as he continues to shine on one of college football’s biggest stages.

Watts arrived at Notre Dame in 2020, only to see his first season shortened by the pandemic. The Fighting Irish initially used him as a wide receiver, but linebacker injuries during the 2021 campaign led to an experimental switch to defense, where he recorded 15 total tackles (11 solo) in 11 games. From there, it clicked. By 2022, Watts was a cornerstone in the secondary, finishing the season with 39 tackles and four pass breakups. His standout senior year in 2023, highlighted by seven interceptions and a Bronko Nagurski Trophy win, established him as one of the best safeties in college football.

Now a 2023 graduate with a master’s degree in sports analytics, he finished his senior year with a defensive touchdown and 47 total tackles (28 solo). What sets him apart is not just his stat line but his football IQ and ability to read the game. Whether it’s patrolling the deep zone or stepping up against the run, Watts embodies the hybrid safety every modern defense craves.

Xavier Watts is not just a Notre Dame safety or an Omaha success story. He is the guy. Catch him take the field for Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 10.