just to relax and execute ball plays Williams pressure that and then throws an interception it's Watts again now Watts trying to take it to the house as he takes a shot right there near the goal line and they're going to Mark him out at the two [Music] for the Notre Dame defense it has a chance to be a historic draft class Notre Dame will be counting in some younger players at Key spots in 2024 but overall the defense is extremely experienced throughout if the unit can repeat its 2023 success it will have a chance to put at least a half dozen players into next year's NFL draft enter Xavier Watts who was Stellar in his fourth year with the Irish last year with seven interceptions on the season and winning the Bronco nersi award as the nation's top defensive player as a prospect Xavier watts is a legit playmaker he has a knack for making huge plays and is the type of player that offenses have to account for on every snap watts is a physical safety who used to be a linebacker this is a guy who looks to punish players every time they touch the ball he is built like a tank and tries to inflict as much punishment as possible on crossers and Runners when he has the chance Watts also features excellent play recognition despite being new to the position Watts has fantastic eyes and can read what the offense is running extremely fast this is extremely rare for someone who is just learning the position year two under defensive coordinator Al golden saw Notre Dame emerge as one of the top defensive units in the nation Notre Dame finished the 2023 season ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense seventh Total Defense Fifth and yards allowed per play fifth among other categories Notre Dame returns five starters from that unit with Benjamin Morrison at corner Xavier Watts at safety and Howard Cross the third at defensive tackle leading the way let's watch some highlights [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] w [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] w w [Music]