Day two of Notre Dame Football training camp is underway
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Day Two of fall training camp here at Notre Dame University is underway and as the defense take center stage, safety Xavier Watts who won the 2023 Nagurski award for the best defensive player in college football, is looking to build on that for this season.
"Last year, I felt like I could've even have ten picks that I missed out on. So, you know, it's definitely attainable again, you know, I'm not coming into the season being like, oh, I need to get seven interceptions again, or anything like that. But uh, you know, I definitely want to come out there and just dominate," stated Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts.
Watts continues, "like me coming in from last year. You're not just excited to do it and do even more get even better. And then just the guys I'll be brought in, you know, it's felt like one of the most exciting teams I've been part of most talented team. So I'm so excited. We'll see what we can do."
And while he's only a sophomore, Adon Shuler is stepping into a veteran role with the team.
"Now I feel like I'm kind of a leader and I kind of bring a different attitude to the defense. I would say, finding the ball is really natural to me ever since high school I've always been had a knack for the ball, but just kind of now just like playing chess with the quarterback," stated Notre Dame Safety Adon Shuler. "You know, he kind of looks you off in the post-game. So, understanding that and understanding what the ball and the concepts will be, has been like something I've been learning."
When looking to the offensive side of the ball, new Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock is not in new territory.
Since 2018, where he's been the head offensive coordinator of an offense. His teams had an 83% winning percentage. And he's had four 10-win seasons, both at Cincinnati and LSU. He says his goals are in place as this team moves forward looking ahead to Texas A&M.
"Let's make sure we solidify what we're doing with the guys up front. There's some position battles going on. Let's make sure our overall offensive knowledge of what we're doing offensively down to the fine details becomes a little bit more inside of us and in our hearts. And then I think, you know, just developing what our identity is going to be offensively," stated Denbrock.
Day three of fall training camp continues on Friday Aug. 2, where ABC57 will have our first chance to speak with defensive coordinator Al Golden, running backs, and Associate Head Coach Deland McCullough.