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Manti Teʻo

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Manti Teʻo
refer to caption
Teʻo with the San Diego Chargers in 2016
No. 50, 51, 57
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1991-01-26) January 26, 1991 (age 34)
Laie, Hawaii, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii)
College:Notre Dame (2009–2012)
NFL draft:2013: 2nd round, 38th pick
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:307
Sacks:1.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Manti Malietau Louis Teʻo[1] (/ˈmæntaɪ ˈtɛʔoʊ/ MAN-ty TE'-oh;[2] born January 26, 1991)[3] is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, earning unanimous All-American honors and receiving multiple national awards. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft and played in the NFL until 2021. Since 2024, Teʻo has worked as an on-air commentator and analyst for NFL Network.

In 2012, Teʻo became the victim of a catfishing ruse when Ronaiah Tuiasosopo created a fake online persona named Lennay Kekua with whom Teʻo became romantically involved.

Early life

[edit]

Teʻo played for Punahou School, a private co-ed institution in Honolulu, where he had also attended middle school. Teʻo began his varsity career in 2006 with stellar play that won him selection to the second-team all-state roster as a sophomore.

As a junior in 2007, Teʻo 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.[4] Teʻo drew considerable attention from colleges and recruiters in the process.

Teʻo 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. He received offers from over 30 college programs. During his senior year, Teʻo 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, Teʻo rushed for 176 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns and had three receptions, two for touchdowns. He also had three touchdowns, 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. Teʻo was such a force that The Honolulu Advertiser considered just naming him the overall state player of the year.[5] 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.

In 2008, Teʻo won the inaugural Butkus Award at the high school level, awarded to the best prep linebacker in the United States.[6] 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.[7] USA Today named Teʻo 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, after Pat Kesi in 1990 and Jason Ching in 1995 (Ching, too, is a Punahou and Notre Dame alumnus).[8] Teʻo was also named to the 2009 Parade All-American team as well.[9] On January 10, 2010, Teʻo was named the Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009) by the Honolulu Advertiser.[10]

College recruitment and rankings

[edit]

Teʻo was nationally regarded as one of the elite prospects of the class of 2009. Major recruiting service Rivals.com listed him as a five-star recruit—the first from Hawaii since Jonathan Mapu in 2002—and ranked him second among inside linebackers only behind Vontaze Burfict.[11] Also listed as five-star recruit, Teʻo was ranked as the No. 1 strongside linebacker in his class by Scout.com.

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Manti Teʻo
LB 		Laie, HI Punahou 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 4.6 Feb 4, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 5/5 stars   Rivals: 5/5 stars   (93)

On National Signing Day of 2009, Teʻo committed to the University of Notre Dame.[12] He chose the Fighting Irish, then coached by Charlie Weis, over Brigham Young and Southern California. Teʻo was the first USA Today Defensive Player of the Year to commit to the Irish since Kory Minor in 1995.

College career

[edit]

Teʻo enrolled in the University of Notre Dame, where he played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team from 2009 to 2012.

Freshman season

[edit]
See also: 2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
Teʻo during 2010 game against USC.

Teʻo 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 Teʻo 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, Teʻo made his first collegiate start in the Irish's game versus Purdue.[13] 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).[14] Teʻo also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

On December 8, 2009, Teʻo was named a Freshman All-American by College Football News.[15] He was also named a second-team Freshman All-American by Rivals.com.[16]

Sophomore season

[edit]
See also: 2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

Teʻo moved from outside to inside linebacker in 2010 as Notre Dame switched to a 3–4 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Bob Diaco.[17] On April 30, 2010, Teʻo was named to the 2010 Lombardi Award & Nagurski Award watch lists.[14][18]

Teʻo led the Fighting Irish in tackles with 133, and was second in tackles for loss with 9.5. Against Stanford on September 25, Teʻo finished with 21 total tackles. This total represents a career-high for Teʻo and is also the most tackles in a game by an individual for Notre Dame since 2006.[19]

Teʻo was named one of 16 semifinalists for both the Butkus Award (Best Collegiate Linebacker) and the Bednarik Award for top College defensive player.[20] He was also named a Second-team All-American by CNNSI.[21]

Junior season

[edit]
See also: 2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

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

Teʻo was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Lott Trophy and was selected as the 2011 FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Year.[22]

Teʻo was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Rivals.com, Phil Steele and CNNSI. He was also named to the Capital One Academic All-American second-team.[22]

Senior season

[edit]
See also: 2012 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

Te’o announced on December 11, 2011, that he would return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Teʻo 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.[22] 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) in the country. 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.[13]) Te’o also led the team, as well as all FBS linebackers, in interceptions. Te’o's 7 interceptions during the 2012 season are the most by any FBS linebacker since 2001.[23] He ranked third in the nation at 0.58 interceptions per game, and overall only Fresno State safety Phillip Thomas had more, with 8 interceptions that season.[13] Teʻo's season-high per game was 2 interceptions for 28 yards against Michigan.[24]

In the 2012 season, Notre Dame ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (10.33 points per game) and ranked 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). Teʻo'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).[13]

Teʻo is one of the most decorated defensive players 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.[25] One of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy, Teʻo eventually finished second in the voting to Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

In the BCS National Championship Game, Teʻo recorded 10 tackles in a 42–14 loss to a 12–1 Alabama team which won its third national championship in four years. Alabama took control from the start and led 14–0 after the first quarter and extended its lead to a 28–0 score by halftime. Teʻo finished with 7 assists and 3 solo tackles.[26]

College statistics

[edit]

Teʻo has 437 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 started in 47 consecutive games, beginning with the fourth game of his freshman season, at that point the longest streak of any linebacker in the country.[13] He joins Crable as the second player in Notre Dame history to record 100+ tackles in three consecutive seasons.[27]

All statistics from Notre Dame Official Athletic Site,[28][29][30][31]

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 13 55 58 113 5.5 – 19 1.5 – 13 7 – 35 4 11 4 2 – 8 0 0 0
Career 51 212 225 437 34.0 – 114 8.5 – 55 7 – 35 10 17 12 2 – 8 2 0 0

Professional career

[edit]

Pre-draft

[edit]

Teʻo decided to return to Notre Dame after the 2011 season[32] despite being projected a late first-round pick for the 2012 NFL draft as early as mid-season of 2011.[33] In preseason mock drafts from May 2012, Teʻo was listed as a late first-rounder for the 2013 NFL draft as well.[34][35] By mid-season, he had moved up to the mid-first round.[36] Notre Dame has not seen one of their linebackers selected in the first round since Bob Crable in 1982. At the conclusion of the 2012 college football season, Teʻo signed with agent Tom Condon. He was training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, in preparation for the NFL Draft.[37]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+1⁄4 in
(1.86 m) 		241 lb
(109 kg) 		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.82 s 1.87 s 2.98 s 4.27 s 7.13 s 33 in
(0.84 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL combine, except bench press (from Notre Dame Pro Day)[38][39]

Teʻo attended the NFL Combine under a lot of scrutiny by NFL teams.[40] His comparably slow time of 4.82 in the 40-yard dash was disappointing, but he promised to "do a lot better" at his Notre Dame pro day.[41] After the combine, Sports Illustrated projected Teʻo to fall out of the first round.[42] At Notre Dame Pro Day on March 26, Teʻo ran faster according to ESPN's Todd McShay (hand-timed 4.75 and 4.71).[43]

San Diego Chargers

[edit]

2013 season

[edit]

He was selected in the second round, 38th overall by the San Diego Chargers,[44] as the second inside linebacker in the draft behind Alec Ogletree.[45] "It's a perfect scenario. My parents can come and watch, I can go home, it's San Diego," said Teʻo on draft day.[46] He was the highest selected Notre Dame linebacker since Demetrius DuBose in 1993, until Jaylon Smith was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

On May 9, 2013, Teʻo signed a four-year contract with the Chargers.[47] The deal included a $2,141,768 signing bonus and was worth just over $5 million with over $3.1 million in guaranteed money.[48] He was the second linebacker of Polynesian descent to play for the Chargers (after Junior Seau).

Teʻo injured his right foot in the Chargers' preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks on August 8, which caused him to miss the remainder of preseason as well as the regular season opener against the Houston Texans.[49] Teʻo made his NFL debut in a week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Teʻo finished the game with three tackles as the Chargers won.

Teʻo ended the season with 61 tackles and 4 passes defended in 13 games started.

2014 season

[edit]

Teʻo looked to improve from 2013; however, on September 23, 2014, Teʻo suffered a fractured foot. He returned in the middle of the season against the Oakland Raiders. Against the New England Patriots, Teʻo intercepted Tom Brady in the red zone, while covering Rob Gronkowski, for his first NFL interception. A few weeks later, in the Chargers comeback victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Teʻo earned his first NFL sack by sacking Colin Kaepernick—coincidentally, the first player Teʻo tackled in his collegiate career—on a 4th down play. Manti finished the season with 61 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 3 pass deflections.[50]

2015 season

[edit]

In 2015, Teʻo had 63 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.[51] He missed four games in mid-season due to an ankle injury.[52]

2016 season

[edit]

On September 5, 2016, Teʻo was named one of the Chargers' team captains for the 2016 season.[53] On September 28, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve with a torn Achilles.[54]

New Orleans Saints

[edit]

On March 21, 2017, Teʻo signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.[55][56] He led the Saints in tackles for loss during the 2017 season.[57] He was a healthy inactive for all but five games of the 2018 season and was not re-signed when his contract expired.[58]

After Teʻo did not play for most of the 2019 season, New Orleans re-signed him on December 3, 2019.[59]

Chicago Bears

[edit]

On October 20, 2020, Teʻo was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad.[60] He was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list by the team on December 7, 2020,[61] and restored to the practice squad on December 19.[62] He was elevated to the active roster on January 9, 2021, for the team's wild card playoff loss against the New Orleans Saints, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[63] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 18, 2021.[64]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2013 SD 13 13 61 41 20 0.0 6 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0
2014 SD 10 6 60 39 21 1.0 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
2015 SD 12 12 83 63 20 0.5 4 1 11 0 11 2 1 0 0 0
2016 SD 3 3 17 11 6 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 NO 16 10 62 42 20 0.0 7 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0
2018 NO 5 2 18 12 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2019 NO 3 2 6 4 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
62 48 307 212 95 1.5 22 2 11 0 11 13 1 1 0 0

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2013 SD 2 2 10 6 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 NO 2 2 15 8 7 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 CHI 1 1 6 4 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 5 31 18 13 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

[edit]

Teʻo was born in Laie, Hawaii, on January 26, 1991, of Samoan ancestry.[65] He is the son of Brian and Ottilia Teʻo and has five siblings: sisters BrieAnne, Tiare, Eden, Maya and brother Manasseh.[66]

In high school, Teʻo had a 3.52 grade-point average and did volunteer work with the Shriners Hospital, Head Start preschool program, Hawai'i Food Bank and Special Olympics. Teʻo also became an Eagle Scout in November 2008.[67] Teʻo is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[68][69]

In February 2020, Teʻo became engaged to his girlfriend, personal trainer and beauty consultant Jovi Nicole Engbino. The couple married in San Diego, California, on August 29, 2020.[70] Teʻo has a daughter, Hiro Teʻo, born August 12, 2021, and a son, Kyro Teʻo, born January 16, 2023.[71]

Teʻo is a close friend of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a fellow Samoan NFL player who grew up in Hawaii, and refers to Tagavailoa as his "little brother".[72]

Teʻo was a member of Netflix's broadcasting team for the 2024 NFL Christmas day games.

In August 2024, NFL Network announced that Teʻo would join the network as an on-air analyst.[73][74] He is a regular commentator on Good Morning Football.

Catfishing incident

[edit]

Teʻo told many media outlets that both his grandmother and his girlfriend had died on September 12, 2012.[75] Teʻo said that his girlfriend, Stanford University student Lennay Kekua, had been injured in a car accident, and was discovered during her treatment to have leukemia.[76] Teʻo did not miss any football games for Notre Dame, saying that he had promised Kekua he would play even if something had happened to her.[77] Many sports media outlets reported on these tragedies during Teʻo's strong 2012 season and emergence as a Heisman Trophy candidate.[78]

After receiving an anonymous email tip in January 2013, reporters Timothy Burke and Jack Dickey of the sports blog Deadspin conducted an investigation into Kekua's identity. On January 16, they published an article alleging Kekua did not exist and pointed to a man named Ronaiah "Naya" Tuiasosopo (/roʊˈnaɪə ˌtuːjɑːsoʊˈsoʊpoʊ/ roh-NY-ə TOO-yah-soh-SOH-poh) as involved in the hoax of a relationship with Teʻo.[78][79] Tuiasosopo has been described as a family friend or acquaintance of Teʻo.[78][80] Pictures of Kekua that had been published in the media were actually of a former high school classmate of Tuiasosopo.[81]

On the same day the Deadspin article was published, Notre Dame issued a statement that "Manti had been the victim of what appears to be a hoax in which someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia."[82][83][84] In a press conference, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick confirmed the university had hired private investigators to uncover the source of the hoax, and he clarified that Teʻo's relationship with Kekua was "exclusively an online relationship".[85] This conflicted with previous accounts from Teʻo and his family that the couple had first met after a football game. Swarbrick then visited Teʻo in Hawaii.[86][87][88] Swarbrick said Teʻo informed Notre Dame of the hoax on December 26, 2012, after receiving a phone call on December 6 from the woman he knew as Kekua, claiming she was still alive. However, Teʻo mentioned Kekua's death in at least four separate interviews in the days following the phone call.[88][89][90][91]

In response to the growing suspicions that he was involved in the hoax, Teʻo agreed to a January 18, 2013, interview with sports journalist Jeremy Schaap in which he maintained his innocence. Teʻo explained he had lied to his father and others about meeting her in person because he thought he would be seen as "crazy" for having a serious relationship with a woman he had never met in person.[92] Teʻo said he was angered and confused by the December 6 phone call and had continued to speak of Kekua because the situation was unclear to him.[92] Teʻo further explained that Tuiasosopo claimed to be a cousin of Lennay Kekua, and that the two of them had communicated online over the last several years and met once in person at the 2012 Notre Dame/USC game. Teʻo said Tuiasosopo admitted responsibility for the hoax in a telephone conversation on January 16.[92]

In a January 24, 2013, interview on Katie with Katie Couric, Teʻo played three voicemails left by Kekua and said the voice "sounds like a girl."[93][94][95] In an appearance on Dr. Phil on January 31 and February 1, Tuiasosopo confessed to the hoax and admitted to falling in love with Teʻo and using the Kekua identity. Tuiasosopo also recreated the female voice behind a privacy screen.[96] Relatives of Tuiasosopo told the New York Post that Kekua's voice belonged to Tuiasosopo's cousin.[97] Despite the revelation Kekua did not exist, NFL player Reagan Maui'a said he met someone twice, claiming to be Kekua, and they had been introduced by Tuiasosopo, whom he believed to be Kekua's cousin.[98]

Teʻo's experience was the subject of a Netflix documentary, Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist, which was released in August 2022.[99]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rob Ruck, 2018, Tropic of Football: The Long and Perilous Journey of Samoans to the NFL
  2. ^ Manti Teʻo (2014). Manti Teʻo says his own name (MP4) (in English and Samoan). YouTube.com. Manti Teʻo
  3. ^ Manti Teʻo. "Player Bio at the Official Athletic Site of the University of Notre Dame". Und.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "Manti Teʻo". Athlon Sports. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  5. ^ "Teʻo had starring role as Defensive Player of Year". Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ "Punahou senior linebacker Manti Teʻo receives Butkus Award". Honoluluadvertiser.com. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  7. ^ "Manti Teʻo SN's high school athlete of the year". Sportingnews.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  8. ^ "USA Today tabs Teʻo as its best on defense". Honoluluadvertiser.com. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  9. ^ "Meet PARADE's All-America High School Football Team". Parade.com. January 25, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  10. ^ "Teʻo, Funaki top voting of readers". Honolulu Advertiser. January 10, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  11. ^ "Rivals.com". sports.yahoo.com.
  12. ^ Sondheimer, Eric (February 5, 2009). "Teʻo goes to Notre Dame as USC's recruiting gets mixed early results". Los Angeles Times.
  13. ^ a b c d e Walters, John. "Manti Teʻo: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged". Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Manti Teʻo Named To The 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List". Und.com. June 21, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  15. ^ Cirminiello, Richard (December 8, 2009), "2009 CFN All-Freshman Team: Defense & Special Teams", College Football News, archived from the original on December 19, 2013
  16. ^ "Rivals.com 2009 Freshman All-American Team". Collegefootball.rivals.com. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  17. ^ "Teʻo will be focus of defensive revival at Notre Dame". Nationalfootballpost.com. April 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  18. ^ "2010 Lombardi Award Watch List". Collegefootballpoll.com. April 30, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  19. ^ "Notre Dame football: Ton of tackles, little else for Teʻo".[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ Star, Daily (November 9, 2010). "MSU's Jones, ND's Teʻo on Bednarik list". The Niles Star. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  21. ^ Byrne, Pete (December 15, 2010). "Teʻo, Ruffer named all-americans". Wsbt.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  22. ^ a b c "Eifert, Teʻo and Floyd gain multiple All-America honors", ND.com, December 16, 2011
  23. ^ Clarke, Patrick. "Heisman Watch 2012: Making the Best Case for Each Top Contender". Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  24. ^ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics. "Cumulative Season Statistics". Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  25. ^ Virgen, Steve (December 12, 2012). "Virgen's View: Teʻo caps special week in Newport Beach". Daily Pilot. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  26. ^ "Alabama vs Notre Dame (Jan 7, 2013)". UND.com. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  27. ^ ESPN Stats & Information. "Notre Dame concedes very little on defense". Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  28. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2009–2010". University of Notre Dame. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
  29. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2010–2011". University of Notre Dame. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
  30. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2011–2012". University of Notre Dame. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  31. ^ "Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2012–2013". University of Notre Dame. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  32. ^ "Manti Teʻo to return to Notre Dame". ESPN.com. December 11, 2011.
  33. ^ Pauline, Tony (October 24, 2011). "Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson high in midseason NFL draft rankings". SI.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013.
  34. ^ Prisco, Pete (April 30, 2012). "Top 32 for 2013: Barkley headlines a class that already looks deep". CBS Sports.
  35. ^ Schrager, Peter (May 1, 2012). "Schrager's 2013 mock draft". Fox Sports.
  36. ^ Pauline, Tony (November 8, 2012). "Barkevious Mingo, Bjoern Werner, Star Lotulelei in top 50". SI.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012.
  37. ^ Hansen, Eric (January 14, 2013). "Notre Dame football notebook: Teʻo's draft stock holds steady". Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  38. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Manti Teʻo". Nfl.com. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  39. ^ "Manti Teʻo | Notre Dame, ILB : 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". Nfldraftscout.com. September 21, 2006. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  40. ^ Battista, Judy (February 23, 2013). "With N.F.L. Watching, Manti Teʻo Fields Questions at Scouting Combine". New York Times.
  41. ^ "Manti Teʻo: Combine 'exhausting,' he 'can obviously do a lot better'". CBSSports.com. February 26, 2013.
  42. ^ Banks, Don (February 27, 2013). "2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0". SI.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2013.
  43. ^ "Manti Teʻo runs 40 unofficially in 4.71 at Notre Dame Fighting Irish pro day". ESPN.com. March 26, 2013.
  44. ^ "Manti Teʻo gets fresh start with San Diego Chargers". NFL.com.
  45. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  46. ^ "San Diego Chargers select Manti Teʻo with sixth pick in second round". ESPN.com. April 27, 2016.
  47. ^ "Manti Teʻo, San Diego Chargers reach contract". NFL.com.
  48. ^ "Chargers' Manti Teʻo among first NFL rookies to ink contract". May 10, 2013.
  49. ^ Pelissero, Tom (September 7, 2016). "Manti Teʻo's NFL debut postponed by foot injury". USA Today.
  50. ^ "Manti Teʻo". ESPN.com.
  51. ^ "Manti Teʻo". ESPN.com.
  52. ^ "Chargers' Manti Teʻo ruled out, Antonio Gates questionable vs. Ravens". October 30, 2015.
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Further reading

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