Latest news with #GoldenDomer
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former standout Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts already shining with the Atlanta Falcons
Former Notre Dame star safety Xavier Watts is already making a name for himself in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons rookie has already been given a nickname by teammates and fellow rookies Cobee Bryant and Billy Bowman Jr.: the X Factor. Watts was selected in the third round with the 96th overall pick by the Falcons in this past spring's NFL Draft. The 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner was the second Notre Dame player drafted in two years by the Falcons (JD Bertrand) and the 13th Irish player all-time to be drafted by Atlanta. During his time in South Bend, Watts had 13 interceptions, which were the most by a Notre Dame player since 1996. There is a lot of intrigue surrounding Watts in his first pro camp because he was considered one of the steals of the draft. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is already giving Watts reps with the first-team defense, and All-Pro teammate Jessie Bates III has already called Watts "a hell of a football player." A standout rookie season could be on the horizon for the Golden Domer. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame didn't have a round-one NFL draft pick this year. Here are some from the past
Notre Dame didn't have a round-one NFL draft pick this year. Here are some from the past The Fighting Irish had no first-round picks in this year's NFL draft, but they've had a few in recent years The first round of 2025 NFL draft is in the books and no Notre Dame Fighting Irish players were selected. However, plenty of Fighting Irish have gone in the first round over the past few years. Since 2018, five Notre Dame players have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Offensive lineman Quenton Nelson went to the Indianapolis Colts and fellow offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey went to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round in 2018. Defensive lineman Jerry Tillery went to the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round the following year. The next Golden Domer to go in the first round was safety Kyle Hamilton, who headed to the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. Finally, tackle Joe Alt was picked by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round just last year. Still, a lot of Irish alums, like Audric Estime, have gone in later rounds. Which might happen with Benjamin Morrison, Xavier Watts and Riley Leonard. We'll see what happens as the draft continues on this weekend. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports projects a Vikings trade back in latest mock draft
CBS Sports projects a Vikings trade back in latest mock draft As it currently stands, the Minnesota Vikings will enter the 2025 NFL Draft with four picks. Those picks come in the first round (24th overall), third round (97), fifth round (139), and sixth round (187). After addressing numerous holes throughout the roster in free agency, the Vikings could look to trade down and acquire additional picks. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports believes the Vikings will do just that in his latest mock draft. He has the Vikings trading the 24th pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for their second-round (37th overall), third-round (68), and sixth-round picks (215). This would give the Vikings six total picks and a busy Day 2. Trapasso has the Vikings selecting Xavier Watts, a 6'0", 204-pound safety from Notre Dame, at pick No. 37. Watts was PFF's sixth-highest-rated safety during the 2024 season, and he intercepted six passes. He'd join fellow Golden Domer Harrison Smith in perhaps the Vikings legend's final season. With the 68th pick, the Vikings select Isaiah Bond, the speedy Texas receiver. Although he only stands 5'11" and 180 pounds, Bond brings an element of speed the Vikings could use with defenses keying on Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. And with the 97th pick, the Vikings take Zy Alexander, a 6'1", 187-pound cornerback from LSU. Quarterbacks had a passer rating of 53.2 when throwing in Alexander's direction in 2024. He could fight for playing time in a cornerback room that has tons of potential but few concrete answers behind Byron Murphy, Jr.
