Omaha Burke product Xavier Watts was selected in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft (96th pick overall) by the Atlanta Falcons.
As a safety for Notre Dame this past season, Watts was a First-team Associated Press All-American, joining Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter (Colorado WR/CB) as the only consensus All-Americans in both 2023 and 2024. He was the Sugar Bowl Defensive MVP with 7 tackles and a TFL in the Fightin Irish’s 23-10 win over Georgia. He finished the season with 82 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 10 PBUs and a forced fumble.
He was also the 2023 Nagurski Trophy winner.
During his senior season at Burke HS (2019), he caught 61 passes for 1,072 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed six times for 85 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, he totaled 68 tackles and three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Atlanta went 8-9 last season, finishing second in the NFC South. They selected Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker and Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. in the first round yesterday.
