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Skinny: The top defensive recruit brought in during the Charlie Weis Era provided the storied program with instant impact in his rookie season. It’s been quite some time since a freshman defender played at such a high level for the Golden Domers. Te’o’s 63 total tackles were good enough for fourth on the 2009 team and the third most ever for a Notre Dame freshman. Coming straight out of high school the native of Hawaii played in all 12 games last season and made 10 starts. The 19 year old is already well developed at 6’2” and 250 pounds, and is among the most versatile linebacker prospects in the nation. He saw the bulk of his playing time in 2009 as an outside linebacker in Jon Tenuta’s 4-3 scheme and it already appears he has the skill set to play MIKE linebacker. This year with Brian Kelly taking over the reins and Bob Diaco stepping in as defensive coordinator Te’o is slotted to start as an inside linebacker in Notre Dame’s 3-4 set up. An added benefit is Diaco also coaches the inside linebackers, which should spur Teo’s development in what is expected to be a breakout season for the (high school) Butkus Award winner. The Fighting Irishman has the size and strength necessary to shed blockers and make plays in tight quarters, as well as the agility and quickness to play in space. The physical force plays the game with passion and while he is still learning, Te’o appears to have the instincts necessary to be an impact player. To reach his full potential the big hitter will have to develop his ability to recognize and diagnose what the opposition is doing, not to mention his leadership skills. It would not be a surprise to see Te’o mature into the prototypical 3-4 inside linebacker by the time he enters the NFL Draft. - Scouting Linebackers: Class of 2013

NEWS

07/23/10 - Coming out of Punahou High School, Te’o was everyone’s national player of the year on defense two years ago, and he got his feet wet last season as he learned the college game on the fly. This spring, Te’o evolved from greenhorn to standout, even by the standards of a new coaching staff. “He can be a great player. He has a chance and he is showing some signs of that,” said Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. “His recognition, his leadership, it’s exciting to watch him grow. He’s really grown quickly in a short period.” The pride of Hawaii became a full-time starter at Will linebacker by the fifth game of his rookie year and his 63 total tackles – 39 solo and 34 assisted – rank third all-time among Irish freshmen. At 250 pounds Te’o has the size and hitting prowess that has been often lacking on the inside for the Irish. But what sets him apart is the quickness to the ball, smelling out plays and also being able to cover tight ends, making him an “every down linebacker,” according to Kelly. – Blueandgold.com

04/08/10 – Manti Te'o's initial splashdown from the highest-rated defensive prospect to land at Notre Dame since Holtz reluctantly walked away in 1996 was as statistically spectacular as it was aesthetically inconsistent. His 63 tackles for the 6-6 Irish in the last year of the Charlie Weis Era represents the third-highest total ever by a Notre Dame freshman, topped only by eventual All-Americans Bob Golic (82 in 1975) and Ross Browner (68. 1973). Fifty-seven of those 63 tackles came in ND's final seven games, after Te'o became a full-time starter in game 6 against Washington. But when he looks back at the film, he sees more growing pains than growth. Sometimes the most jaw-dropping plays were when the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder simply outran his mistakes. “I see a lot of hesitating,” Manti Te'o said. “I see a young man who showed his youth and wasn't used to college.” He reportedly runs a 4.55 forty-yard dash. – South Bend Tribune