Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame is just three weeks away, and before we flood you with preview after preview concerning the all-important matchup, here’s a quick look at two Fighting Irish defenders that could give starting quarterback Conner Weigman fits throughout the night.
While Aggies’ head coach Mike Elko will be facing his former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard for the first time since both departed for greater pastures, the play of starting Irish cornerback Benjamin Morrison and starting safety Xavier Watts, who look like two of the best players on Notre Dame’s entire roster, will be the difference.
Credit to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, as the program’s defense has continued to load up every season despite transfer portal and NFL draft departures. Morrison is consistently ranked as the No. 1 CB prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Standing at 6-0 and 190 pounds, Morrison’s elite man coverage skills resulted in 31 tackles, ten pass deflections, and three interceptions on the year, and he will likely line up with Texas A&M wide receivers Noah Thomas and Jahdae Walker on the outside.
Watts, who thrives in coverage after notching seven interceptions last season, can also thrive in the box against the run, recording 52 tackles on the year. However, I’d expect Texas A&M OC Collin Klein to run the ball as much as possible while setting up play-action attempts, an area in Weigman thrived in four games during the 2023 campaign.
Since this is the first game for both programs, expect the unexpected on both sides of the ball, but know that Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts are two players who could change the game on a dime.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.