Notre Dame Football: Top-25 players of the Brian Kelly era
Notre Dame Football: Top-25 players of the Brian Kelly era
1. Manti Te’o, LB, 2009-12
- 437 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 7 INTs, 6 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles
Manti Te’o is the best, most accomplished, enter your superlative here during the Brian Kelly era. There is even a good argument to make that he is the best linebacker in the history of Notre Dame football. His 2012 season, for which he was a captain, was remarkable as he was the heart and soul of the Notre Dame team.
In 2012, he posted seven interceptions, which is tied for sixth-most in a single season in Notre Dame history. He also won the Maxwell, Bednarik, Walter Camp, Butkus, and Lombardi Awards. He also won the Lott and Nagurski trophies. Te’o was an All-American on every All-America team in the country and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Te’o was far from a one-year wonder at Notre Dame. He actually had three seasons with more than 100 tackles at Notre Dame.
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Over the course of his time at Notre Dame, he became third on the list for all-time tackles, behind Bob Crable and Bob Golic. He was also recognized as an All-American as a Junior while at Notre Dame. Te’o would go on to be a second-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 2013 NFL Draft upon leaving Notre Dame.