There are more than a few former Notre Dame stars making waves in the NFL, but one stood out above the others during the first month of the season.
The Atlanta Falcons wisely picked safety Xavier Watts in the third-round of the draft, and it paid off immediately. He was named as a starter right out of training camp, and that move was the right one. On Thursday, Watts was named as the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month.
During the first four games of Watts’ NFL career, he has 23 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. He’s picked up right where he left off while he was in South Bend, and his play should surprise no one that has seen him over the last few years.
Watts made an extremely smooth transition from wide receiver to safety, and his knowledge of offensive schemes and great hands has made him into an elite safety. Watts is a star on the rise, and if his first month in the NFL is a preview, he’s going to give Kyle Hamilton a run for his money as the best current former Notre Dame player in The League.
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