Nebraska Star Xavier Watts Shines Ahead of College Football Playoff Semifinal
Omaha – The spotlight is on Xavier Watts as the two-time All-America defensive back prepares for a big challenge with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Omaha Burke graduate is set to take the field against Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal this Thursday, adding yet another chapter to his impressive career.
Watts has been a force for Notre Dame, earning recognition as the defensive MVP of last week’s Sugar Bowl, where he notched seven tackles, including a key tackle for loss. His standout performance helped lead the Irish to a 23-10 victory over Georgia. Not only that, but in the first-round win against Indiana, he wowed fans with a season-high 10 tackles and an interception. “He plays the game the way you need him to play,” said Irish coach Marcus Freeman after the Indiana game. “He is a huge part of what we’re trying to do and a very important piece.”
Watts’ achievements have placed him among an elite group of five Omaha Public Schools graduates who have been two-time consensus All-Americans, a major accolade that hasn’t been seen since Larry Station at Iowa in 1984. He’s also competing for the title of the national defensive player of the year after accumulating an impressive six interceptions this season, making him one of the top players in the country.
“Everyone knows my story,” Watts stated. “I’ve bounced back and forth between receiver and DB, and I just feel like I have so much more room to grow. Just coming into the season, I really wanted to improve in all aspects of my game.”
With Peters and Anthony Rezac, fellow Nebraska high school graduates, Watts has a chance to lead the Irish to a potential national title. If they do, it would mirror the success of North Dakota State, who recently captured the FCS championship.
The upcoming matchup is not just about Watts; it’s a chance for the state of Nebraska to showcase its talent on a national level. Fans are eager to see how the Omaha native will perform against one of college football’s strong contenders, and with his impressive track record, the expectations are high. As the playoff approaches, all eyes will be on Notre Dame and their star player as they chase a championship title.
