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Manti Te'o

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Manti Te'o
Te'o during 2010 game against USC.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish – No. 5
PositionLinebacker
ClassSenior
MajorGraphic Design
Personal information
Born: (1991-01-26) January 26, 1991 (age 33)
Laie, Hawaii
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight255 lb (116 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolHonolulu (HI) Punahou
Career highlights and awards

Manti Malietau Louis Te'o (born January 26, 1991)[2] is an American collegiate football player of Samoan descent. He is a linebacker at the University of Notre Dame. Growing up on the island of Oahu, he was one of the most decorated high school athletes in Hawaii's history. In 2008, Te'o won the inaugural high school Butkus Award, while also being named Sporting News High School Athlete of the Year. In 2012, he won eight postseason awards, becoming the most decorated collegiate football player of all time.

Early life and prep school

Te'o was born in Laie, Hawaii on January 26, 1991.[3] He is the son of Brian and Ottilia Te'o and has 5 siblings: sisters BrieAnne, Tiare, Eden and Maya and brother Manasseh.[4]

In 2006, Te'o played for Punahou School, a private co-ed institution in Manoa, Honolulu, where he had also attended middle school. Te'o began his varsity career that year with stellar play that landed him on the second-team all-state roster as a sophomore.

As a junior in 2007, Te'o was named the state defensive player of the year by the Honolulu Advertiser and the Gatorade state player of the year. He received first-team all-state honors while totaling 90 tackles and five sacks on defense and 400 rushing yards and ten touchdowns as a running back.[5] Te'o drew considerable attention from colleges and recruiters in the process.

Te'o came into his senior year as one of the most celebrated players and recruits both on the state and national levels, landing on a number of national top ten recruiting lists before the start of the season. Te'o received offers from over 30 college programs. During his senior year, Te'o helped lead Punahou to its first-ever state championship in football during the 2008 season. He amassed 129 tackles, including 11 sacks, forced three fumbles, tipped four passes and totaled 19 quarterback hurries. On offense at running back, Te'o rushed for 176 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns and had three receptions, two for touchdowns. He also had three interceptions, returning one 49 yards for a touchdown. He also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.

He received his second straight Gatorade state player of the year award for his play during the season and was named first-team all-state and the state defensive player of the year for the second straight season. Te'o was such a force that The Honolulu Advertiser considered just naming him the overall state player of the year.[6] He is regarded as one of the most highly recruited athletes, both in football and for any sport, in the history of the state of Hawaii.

After the year, Te'o participated in the Hawaii Prep Classic and the Under Armour All-America Game, choosing to participate in the latter over the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[7] Te'o played in the Under Armour game along with his high school turned collegiate teammate, wide receiver Robby Toma.

Prep awards and accomplishments

Football

In 2008, Te'o won the inaugural Butkus Award at the high school level, awarded to the best prep linebacker in the United States.[8] He was also named the 2008 Sporting News High School Athlete of the Year, becoming the first person from the state of Hawaii and the first athlete of Polynesian descent to receive the award.[9] USA Today named Te'o the national Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. He is only the third high school player from Hawaii to be named to the USA Today All-American team and the second player from Punahou to earn such a distinction since 1990.[10] Te'o was also named to the 2009 Parade All-American team as well.[11] On January 10, 2010, Te'o was named the Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009) by the Honolulu Advertiser.[12]

Extra-curricular

In high school, Te'o had a 3.5 grade-point average and did volunteer work with the Shriners Hospital, Head Start preschool program, Hawai'i Food Bank and Special Olympics. Te'o also became an Eagle Scout in November 2008.[13] Te'o is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[14]

List of prep awards

  • Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009)
  • 2008 Butkus Award (HS)
  • 2008 Sporting News High School Athlete of the Year
  • 2008 USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2009 PARADE All-American
  • 2008 Gatorade Hawaii Football Player of the Year
  • 2007 Gatorade Hawaii Football Player of the Year
  • 2008 Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2007 Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2008 Punahou Aina Award
  • 2009 All-American Donny Martin Award

College recruitment and rankings

Te'o committed to the University of Notre Dame on National Signing Day, February 4, 2009.[15] He chose the Fighting Irish, coached by Charlie Weis, over BYU and USC. Te'o is the first USA Today Defensive Player of the Year to commit to the Irish since Kory Minor in 1995.

Player assessment

All rankings and assessments current as of 01/21/09.

Recruiting Service Stars/Grade Position Rank Overall Rank
Rivals
3
12
Scout
1
6
ESPN
93/100
1
2
Athlon
869/1,000
1
3
O-D
N/A
1
1
Emfinger
1,285
1
7
Tom Lemming
N/A
1
12

Recruitment honors

Manti Te'o was awarded the following rankings and accolades by these recruitment and news sources.[16]

  • Rated the top defensive player in the nation and second-best player in the country by Sporting News.
  • Rated the second-best overall prospect in the ESPNU150 and best linebacker according to ESPN.
  • Ranked fifth nationally in SI/TAKKLE Top 200 for 2008.
  • Rated third in 2009 Athlon Consensus 100.
  • Ranked sixth nationally by Scout.com and its top linebacker prospect.
  • Ranked the 12th-best overall player nationally and second-best inside linebacker by Rivals.com.
  • Rated the best player in Hawaii according to Rivals.com's postseason state rankings.
  • Listed seventh nationally in Chicago Sun-Times rating of top 100 players.
  • Rated the 12th-best all around player by Tom Lemming of CBS College Sports in his Top 100.
  • Named to Superprep Elite 50 squad as 12th-best overall player.
  • Named to Superprep All-America team as second-best linebacker in the county.
  • Named Superprep Far West Defensive Player of the Year.
  • Named top overall prospect in the Offense-Defense 100.
  • Top vote-getter among defensive players in Long Beach Press-Telegram's 2009 Best in the West team.
  • Selected to Western 100 in 2008 by Tacoma News Tribune.
  • Named to 2008 MaxPreps All-America first-team defense as a senior.

College career

Freshman season (2009)

Te'o entered his first college game at the start of the second defensive series early in the second quarter versus Nevada on September 5, 2009. On his third snap Te'o tackled Wolf Pack quarterback Colin Kaepernick after an 11-yard gain on third and 15 for his first collegiate tackle. After playing, but not starting, his first three games, Te'o made his first collegiate start in the Irish's game versus Purdue.[17] He played in all 12 games of his freshman season and finished the season with 63 tackles, the third-most tackles ever by a Notre Dame freshman behind Bob Golic (82 in 1975) and Ross Browner (68 in 1973).[18] Te'o also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

On December 8, 2009, Te'o was named a Freshman All-American by College Football News.[19] Te'o was also named a second-team Freshman All-American by Rivals.com.[20]

Sophomore season (2010)

Te'o moved from outside to inside linebacker in 2010 as Notre Dame switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Bob Diaco.[21] On April 30, 2010, Te'o was named to the 2010 Lombardi Award & Nagurski Award watch lists.[18][22]

Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles with 133, and was second in tackles for loss with 9.5. Against Stanford on September 25, Te'o finished with 21 total tackles. This total represents a career-high for Te'o and is also the most tackles in a game by an individual for Notre Dame since 2006.[23]

Te'o was named one of 16 semifinalists for both the Butkus Award (Best Collegiate Linebacker) and the Bednarik Award for top College defensive player.[24] Te'o was also named a Second Team All-American by CNNSI.[25]

Junior season (2011)

Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles for the second straight season in 2011 with 128. Te'o also led the team in tackles for loss with 13.5 and finished second in sacks with 5.0.

Te'o was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Lott Trophy and was selected as the 2011 FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Year.[26]

Te'o was named a second team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Rivals.com, Phil Steele and CNNSI. Te'o was also named to the Capital One Academic All-American second team.[26]

Senior season (2012)

Te’o announced on December 11, 2011 that he would return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Te'o entered his final season as one of 10 players in Notre Dame history to record over 300 career tackles and started the season eighth on the career tackles list for the Fighting Irish.[26] During the season, Te’o was the leading tackler and leader in interceptions for a 12-0 Notre Dame team which had the second-ranked scoring defense (10.33 points per game). He had 103 tackles in the regular season (52 solo, 51 assisted, 8.58 per game), including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks (one for 13 yards of Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones.[17] Te’o also led the team, as well as all FBS linebackers in the nation, in interceptions. Te’o’s 7 interceptions during the 2012 season are the most by any FBS linebacker since 2001.[27] He ranks third in the nation at 0.58 interceptions per game, and overall only Fresno State safety has more, with 8 interceptions this season.[17] His season-high per game was 2 interceptions for 28 yards against Michigan. All statistics have been taken from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics website.[28]

On September 11, Te'o suffered the loss of both his grandmother and girlfriend within the span of one day.[29] His girlfriend, Stanford student Lennay Kekua, died after battling leukemia.[30] Te'o missed no games, due to a promise made to his girlfriend. In a press conference Te'o spoke about his decision to remain at Notre Dame and play in the game versus Michigan State on the day of her funeral, saying, "I really wanted to see her [girlfriend Kekua]. But I knew that she made me promise, you know one day she made me promise that, she said, 'Babe, if anything happens to me, you promise that you'll still stay over there and that you'll play and that you'll honor me through the way you play, and know that I would rather have you there.' And just make sure that all she wanted was some white roses. White is her favorite color. So she just wanted some white roses and that's all she asked for. So I sent her roses and sent her two picks along with that, so that was good."[31]

In the 2012 season, Notre Dame ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (10.33 points per game) and ranks in the top 19 nationally in four other defensive categories: fifth in rushing defense (92.42 yards per game), sixth in total defense (287.25 yards per game), 12th in pass efficiency defense (105.58) and 19th in sacks (2.75 per game). Te'o's 8.58 tackles per game is three and a half more per game than the squad's next-most prolific tackler, Zeke Motta (5.09 per game).[17]

Te'o is the most decorated defensive player in college football history. He won the 2012 Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year Lott Trophy, as well as the Maxwell Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award, and the Walter Camp Award. In addition, he was named a national scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation.[32] One of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy, Te'o eventually finished second in the voting to Texas A&M Quarterback Johnny Manziel.

College career statistics

Te'o has 427 total tackles in his four-year career at Notre Dame. He ranks third all-time in school history behind Bob Crable (521, 1978–81) and Bob Golic (479, 1975–78). He has started the past 47 games, beginning with the fourth game of his freshman season, at Purdue. This is the longest streak of any linebacker in the country.[17] He joins Crable as the second player in Notre Dame history to record 100+ tackles in three consecutive seasons.[33]

All statistics from Notre Dame Official Athletic Site,[34][35][36][37]

Year Team Games Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Fumbles Blkd
Solo Ast Total TFL – Yds No – Yds Int – Yds BU PD Qbh Rcv – Yds FF Kick Saf
2009 Notre Dame 12 29 34 63 5.5 – 25 1.0 – 12 0 – 0 1 1 1 0 – 0 0 0 0
2010 Notre Dame 13 66 67 133 9.5 – 34 1.0 – 7 0 – 0 3 3 3 0 – 0 1 0 0
2011 Notre Dame 13 62 66 128 13.5 – 36 5.0 – 23 0 – 0 2 2 4 0 – 0 1 0 0
2012 Notre Dame 12 52 51 103 5.5 – 19 1.5 – 13 7 – 35 4 11 4 2 – 8 0 0 0
Career 50 209 218 427 34.0 – 114 8.5 – 55 7 – 35 10 17 12 2 – 8 2 0 0

Professional career

2013 NFL Draft

Forgoing the chance of a professional career in 2012, Te'o decided to return to Notre Dame after the 2011 season,[38] despite being projected a late first-round pick for the 2012 NFL Draft as early as mid-season of 2011.[39] In preseason mock drafts from May 2012, Te'o was listed as a late first-rounder for the 2013 NFL Draft as well.[40][41] By mid-season, he had moved up to the mid-first round.[42] Notre Dame has not seen one of their linebackers selected in the first round since Bob Crable in 1982.

References

  1. ^ http://www.arasportsmanshipaward.com/
  2. ^ Player Bio at the Official Athletic Site of the University of Notre Dame
  3. ^ Manti Te’o Sets An Example
  4. ^ Manti Te’o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged
  5. ^ Manti Te'o - Athlon Sports
  6. ^ Te'o had starring role as Defensive Player of Year
  7. ^ 47 Commit to Play in UA All-Star Game
  8. ^ Punahou senior linebacker Manti Te'o receives Butkus Award
  9. ^ Manti Te'o SN's high school athlete of the year
  10. ^ USA Today tabs Te'o as its best on defense
  11. ^ Meet PARADE's All-America High School Football Team
  12. ^ Te'o, Funaki top voting of readers
  13. ^ Manti Te'o
  14. ^ Manti Te'o - 10 Who Made A Difference
  15. ^ Te'o goes to Notre Dame as USC's recruiting gets mixed early results
  16. ^ 2009 Notre Dame Signing Day Central
  17. ^ a b c d e Walters, John. "Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged". Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  18. ^ a b Manti Te'o Named To The 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
  19. ^ Cirminiello, Richard (December 8, 2009), "2009 CFN All-Freshman Team: Defense & Special Teams", College Football News
  20. ^ Rivals.com 2009 Freshman All-American Team
  21. ^ Te’o will be focus of defensive revival at Notre Dame
  22. ^ 2010 Lombardi Award Watch List
  23. ^ Notre Dame football: Ton of tackles, little else for Te'o
  24. ^ Star, Daily (2010-11-09). "MSU's Jones, ND's Te'o on Bednarik list". The Niles Star. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  25. ^ Te'o, Ruffer named all-americans
  26. ^ a b c "Eifert, Te'o and Floyd gain multiple All-America honors", ND.com, December 16, 2011
  27. ^ Clarke, Patrick. "Heisman Watch 2012: Making the Best Case for Each Top Contender". Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  28. ^ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics. "Cumulative Season Statistics". Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  29. ^ "Manti Te'o overcomes tragic loss of grandmother and girlfriend", RantSports.com, October 5, 2012
  30. ^ Hansen. "Manti Te'o: A Career Has Come Full Circle". Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  31. ^ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics. "Manti Te'o Press Conference Transcript". Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  32. ^ Virgen, Steve (December 12, 2012). "Virgen's View: Te'o caps special week in Newport Beach". Daily Pilot. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  33. ^ ESPN Stats & Information. "Notre Dame concedes very little on defense". Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  34. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2009-2010". University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  35. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2010-2011". University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  36. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2011-2012". University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  37. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2012-2013". University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  38. ^ "Manti Te'o to return to Notre Dame". ESPN.com. December 11, 2011.
  39. ^ Pauline, Tony (October 24, 2011). "Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson high in midseason NFL draft rankings". SI.com.
  40. ^ Prisco, Pete (April 30, 2012). "Top 32 for 2013: Barkley headlines a class that already looks deep". CBS Sports.
  41. ^ Schrager, Peter (May 1, 2012). "Schrager's 2013 mock draft". Fox Sports.
  42. ^ Pauline, Tony (November 8, 2012). "Barkevious Mingo, Bjoern Werner, Star Lotulelei in top 50". SI.com.

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