Manti Te’o Scouting Report LB Norte Dame

This is our Manti Te’o scouting report. Te’o is likely a first round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Te’o is versatile enough to play in nearly any defensive system and with the disappointing play of Vontaze Burfict this year, he could be the first 43 MLB drafted ahead of Kuechly because he has more athleticism than Kuechly and more size. He’s really moving up my board.  Be sure to watch the three videos at the bottom of the post to see for yourself.

For all of our other scouting reports go to our scouting report page

Measurables

6’3 255 pounds

(combine numbers to be posted when they become available)

Stats (CFBstats.com) through 11/24/2011

2010:

Pros:

Great size for a linebacker prospect…Good speed…A punishing hitter, who has a great burst and closing speed…Good tackler…Does a good job playing in space…good at shedding blockers and getting to the ball carriers…has a good feel for space in zone coverage…scheme versatility because of his size/speed and ability to play in both tight quarters and space he’s not limited to the 43 or 34 and would fit well as a 43 MLB, 43 Sam, 34 ILB…durable…Extremely productive…Four down linebacker

Cons:

Doesn’t have a great repertoire of pass rushing moves, or really pass rushing ability, or at least not asked to showcase this ability…Not in the same instinctive class as Kuechly…has a tendency to  over pursue counters…Does not have elite speed (like Zach Brown),but good speed…

Player Comparison/Round Projection:

Te’o should be drafted in the first round of the 2012 N.F.L. draft.

Jerod Mayo is an easy and apt player comparison to make.

Thoughts:

Manti Te’o is ready to play in the N.F.L. today. Te’o can do everything you look for on the football field, but rush the passer. He has the ability to develop into a plus pass rusher from the 43 MLB spot, but he’s not there yet. He doesn’t have great insticts, but there aren’t any reported work ethic issues so with film study he should learn more of the nuisances of the game and have even quicker reactions. Te’o is also better than most college linebackers in coverage. He’s an animal in run support as well. Te’o can play four downs in the N.F.L. in the 43 or 34. Just a good football player.

Norte Dame Fighting Irish Bio

CAREER: One of highest regarded and most-decorated defensive recruits to select Notre Dame in recent memory … played in every Irish game over his first two seasons and started 23 contests … totaled 196 tackles, 95 solo stops,15.0 tackles for loss,two sacks,four pass breakups and one forced fumble … his 133 tackles in 2010 finished just outside the top 10 in single-season school history … the 133 tackles were the most by an Irish player since Tony Furjanic made 147 in 1983 … has recorded 10 or more tackles in a game nine times over his career … only four Irish players started more games on defense in 2009 … recorded third-most tackles ever by an Irish freshman and ranked fourth on team with 63 stops.

2010 (SOPHOMORE): Saw action in all 13 games in 2010 … one of 11 players to start all 13 games for the Irish this season … joined LB Darius Fleming, CB Gary Gray, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE Ethan Johnson, S Harrison Smith and CB Darrin Walls as the only players on the defensive side of the ball to start all 13 games … totaled 133 tackles, including nine and a half tackles for loss (34 yards), one sack (seven yards), one forced fumble and two pass breakups … led the Irish in total tackles (133), tackles on running plays (95), tackles on passing plays (35, tied), solo tackles (66) and assisted tackles (67) … also ranked second on the team in tackles for loss (9.5) … nearly became the first Notre Dame defender to eclipse 100 total tackles and lead the team in tackles for loss since Melvin Dansby in 1997 … nearly became the first Irish defender to lead the team in total tackles and tackles for loss since Brandon Hoyte in 2005 … ranked t-18th in the FBS in tackles per game (10.23), 12th in total tackles (133), tied for 17th in assisted tackles (67) and tied for 29th in solo stops (66) … eclipsed 10 or more tackles in seven different games (Michigan, 13; Michigan State, 11; Stanford, 21; Boston College, 10; Western Michigan, 10; Navy, 13; Army, 12) … only failed to reach double digits in tackles in six games (Purdue, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Utah, USC and Miami) … added one tackle for loss, forced a fumble and registered a pass breakup against the Wolverines … recorded two and a half tackles for loss for a total of 15 yards in the overtime defeat against the Spartans … registered at least one tackle for loss in seven of Notre Dame’s 13 games, including five consecutive games (Western Michi- gan, Navy, Tulsa, Utah and Army) … finished with nine tackles against the Black Knights, nine tackles against the Boilermakers, nine tackles against the Utes, eight versus the Golden Hurricane and six against the Trojans and Hurricanes (missed most of the second-half with an injury) … his 133 tackles in 2010 finished just outside the top 10 in single-season school history … the 133 tackles were the most by an Irish player since Tony Furjanic made 147 in 1983 … his 133 tackles rank as the third-most ever by a Notre Dame sophomore … Crable’s school record total of 187 in 1979 and Furjanic’s total of 142 in 1983 came during each of their second year in an Irish uniform … established a career-high in tackles with 21 against Stanford … first player in the FBS in 2010 to eclipse the 20-tackle barrier … no player in the FBS has had more tackles in one game against a BCS conference foe since Durell Mapp of North Carolina had 23 stops against North Carolina State on Nov. 10, 2007 … most tackles by a sophomore against a BCS opponent since Austin Thomas of Indiana had 22 against Michigan State on Oct. 13, 2007 (Luke Kuechly equaled total of 21 on Nov. 13, 2010 against Duke) … most tackles by a Notre Dame player since Chinedum Ndukwe had 22 in a victory over Air Force on Nov. 11, 2006 … the 21 tackles against Stanford not only rank as the sixth-most in single-game school history, but also the second-most ever by an Irish sophomore … Bob Crable was a sophomore when he tied the school record with 26 stops against Clemson on Nov. 17, 1979 … totaled 824 snaps on defense, the most of any Irish player.

Video:

vs Pittsburgh in 2011 JMPasq on youtube…visit draftbreakdown.com

Vs Utah 2010: JMPas on youtube

2010 draft season (TMBDraft)