Notre Dame graduate safety Xavier Watts has been named a Sporting News First-Team All-American for the second straight season, becoming the first Irish player since Bobby Taylor (1993-94) to achieve that feat. Graduate defensive lineman Rylie Mills earned Second-Team honors.
The Irish defense ranked among the nation’s best in 2024, finishing first in team passing efficiency defense, turnovers gained, and defensive touchdowns, as well as top 10 marks in scoring defense, total defense, and several other categories.
A team captain, Watts also earned First-Team All-America honors from the Associated Press, AFCA, Walter Camp, The Athletic, USA TODAY, Sports Illustrated, and Pro Football Focus. He set a mark with 12 career interceptions—tied for eighth all-time at Notre Dame—and was a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Mills, another team captain, now ranks tied for 11th in Notre Dame history with 16 career sacks. Highlighted by a three-sack performance against Florida State, Mills also received the program’s Iron Cross Award for his dedication in the weight room.