Notre Dame safety [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] is a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award.
Watts has been one of the best, if not the best, defensive players for the No. 8 Fighting Irish, and now he might get rewarded for it.
The Bednarik award, named after Chuck Bednarik, was founded in 1995 by the Maxwell Football Club and given to the best defensive player in college football.
Watts has 35 tackles — 22 solo — one forced fumble and three interceptions so far this season.
Other semifinalists include Iowa’s Jay Higgins, South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard, and Jahdae Barron and Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas. There are 20 semifinalists overall.
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