Courtney Watson Class: Senior Hometown: Sarasota, FL High School: Riverview Height / Weight: 6-1 / 234 Position: Inside Linebacker Birthdate: 09/18/1980

Is back as the starting middle linebacker for the Irish in ’03 … is a leading candidate for many postseason honors including the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding linebacker and the Bronko Nagurski Award given to the nation’s best defensive player … named a preseason first-team All-American by Athlon … also on the Butkus, Nagurski preseason watch list … earned first-team All-America honors in ’02 from ESPN.com and a third-team accolades from The Sporting News and Associated Press … one of three finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s outstanding linebacker in ’02 … has become the leader of the Irish defense is in his third season as starting middle backer … a three-time monogram winner for the Irish … has tremendous confidence and good awareness on the field.

AS A SENIOR: Starting inside linebacker for Irish in 2002 … led team with 90 tackles in only 10 games … named a first-team All-American by ESPN.com and a third-teamer by The Sporting News and Associated Press … preseason honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith’s … ranked as the 17th best middle linebacker nationally by The Sporting News … served as a game captain vs. Michigan State, Florida State, Navy and Rutgers … played in 249:02 minutes for the Irish … part of linebacker corps that helped hold Michigan to under 100 yards rushing for the first time in ’02 … in first appearance of the season, led the team in tackles vs. Michigan with nine tackles … led team in tackles vs. Michigan State with 15 tackles, including 12 solos and the first two sacks of the season for a total loss of 19 yards … also broke up a pass vs. Michigan State … recorded second career interception return for a touchdown vs. Stanford, a 34-yard interception return that opened the flood gates against the Cardinal in the third quarter … also recorded a team-high 11 tackles vs. Stanford … led team with nine tackles vs. Pittsburgh … second on team in tackles vs. Air Force with nine … helped Irish defense hold Air Force, which was ranked #1 in rushing offense in the nation, to 104 yards rushing, its lowest rushing total of the season … recorded 10 tackles and made second interception this season (21-yard return) vs. Florida State … helped Notre Dame defense hold Florida State to 93 yards rushing, its lowest rushing total of the season …posted six tackles vs. Boston College … made 30th career appearance for Irish vs. Navy … led team with 12 tackles vs. Navy, including one sack for a loss of eight yards … also sealed the win vs. Navy by making third interception this season (eight-yard return) with 0:31 remaining in the fourth quarter … recorded two tackles and broke up a pass vs. Rutgers … had a 60-yard interception return vs. USC, his fourth interception in ’02 to go with seven tackles.

AS A JUNIOR: Won starting inside linebacker job for 2001 ... second on the team in tackles with 76 … led Irish with a career-high 18 tackles vs. Nebraska … named ABC/Chevrolet Most Valuable Player for Notre Dame vs. Nebraska … followed that performance in leading Irish with 10 tackles, including a sack vs. Michigan State … recorded 10 tackles vs. Texas A&M, his third straight game in double digits … had first career fumble recovery vs. Pittsburgh … recorded five tackles including one for a loss of two yards vs. West Virginia … made five tackles vs. Boston College … had 13 tackles for loss this season … recorded eight tackles, one sack, and a 33-yard interception return, the first of his career, for a touchdown vs. Tennessee … recorded six tackles, including one for a loss vs. Navy.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Reserve inside linebacker for Notre Dame in 2000 … played on defense in nine games (missed only vs. Stanford, West Virginia and Rutgers), including vs. Oregon State in 2001 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl vs. Oregon State … played in first career game vs. Texas A&M and made his first career tackle … had two solo stops vs. Navy … made one tackle vs. Oregon State … played on special teams in each game, making 175 regular-season special team appearances to win a monogram, then 18 more vs. Oregon State in Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

AS A FRESHMAN: Did not see varsity action for Irish in ’99.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rushed for 1,220 yards on 133 carries and scored 15 touchdowns as senior running back in ’98 … earned all-Sarasota area honors at Riverview High School in Sarasota, Fla. … added more than 1,100 rushing yards as junior in ’97 to give him career totals of 2,500 yards and 25 TDs … played wide receiver as freshman and sophomore, then switched to running back as junior and senior, while also returning kickoffs and punts … won four letters in football, captaining team as senior … two-time all-league and all-Sarasota selection who won team MVP honors as junior and senior … selected for Florida Shrine Bowl all-star game … also competed in basketball and track and field (has long jumped better than 23 feet) … earned three letters in basketball, captaining team as senior and twice winning all-league and all-city recognition … won two letters in track and field … full name is Courtney Watson …is a two-time winner of the Notre Dame bookstore basketball tournament … was a member of Student Senate in ’02 … born Sept. 18, 1980 in Sarasota, Fla. … graduated from the Mendoza College of Business, majoring in management … enrolled in graduate studies.