Waverly’s Xavier Watson off to good start for UConn football

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) - One of the area's top collegiate football players is starting off well at the D-I level.

Waverly grad Xavier Watson has seen valuable playing time for the UConn Huskies football team in four games this season. Watson, a sophomore tight end, has caught five total passes for 76 yards for UConn (2-2). In games vs. Maryland and Southern Miss , Watson caught two passes in each game with his longest reception coming September 19 in a 48-20 win over the Golden Eagles .

This week, Watson and the Huskies will be playing a familiar foe at home vs. Syracuse (1-2). Kickoff is set for Noon on the CBS Sports Network. When the Orange take the field Saturday, it will mark the first game for the program in over two weeks since a 27-13 loss at Pitt on Thursday, September 17.

Uconn and Watson are looking to bounce back from a 24-21 loss at Miami of Ohio last weekend. A three-star recruit from Waverly High School, Watson graduated early from the school to enroll at Uconn in January 2025. Watson made his official college debut September 5 in a 56-7 win over Lafayette when he caught the first pass of his UConn career for 12 yards.

Stay tuned to 18 Sports for more on Watson's season as it develops at UConn.