'09 HI RB/LB Manti Te'o (Notre Dame Signee)

[HotMic]

Scout Profile
Rivals Profile



Honolulu (HI) Punahou High School

Ht: 6-2
Wt: 230
Forty: 4.6
Class: 2009 (High School)

RP Discussion Links:

[HotMic]

Scout $

8/15

By B. Huffman. Te'o talks about the schools he has early interest in as well as his a little bit about his HS career thus far. He claims verbal offers from 16 schools, including those listed in his above profile. Te'o is being called the best player in the state for '09.

[GoRU]

Kearney Hub - Huskers could reopen Hawaiian pipeline with two recruits

At one time the Nebraska Cornhuskers had a pipeline running from the Hawaiian Islands to Lincoln, but that ended a few years back.

Could that steady flow of top-notch players be renewed?

The coaching staff has made a bid for Manti Te’o, the Rivals.com No. 6-ranked player in the nation, so they are attempting it. But the 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker from Punahou High School in Honolulu will not be an easy one to get. His official scholarship offer list is at 25 and counting.

With that many offers, do the Huskers have any chance at all?

“Oh, yeah, I used to watch Nebraska all the time because they ran the option,” the first-team all-state performer said. “But, I haven’t had any calls from any Nebraska coaches. I have interest in Nebraska as well as any other school that has offered. They haven’t called any of my coaches.

“I definitely do have interest in Nebraska, as they were one of my favorite teams when I was younger. They played Miami when Ken Dorsey was Miami’s quarterback and Eric Crouch was Nebraska’s quarterback. They ran the option all the time and I was a big running fan.”

Te’o has a mature understanding of how the recruiting process works.

“It is early in the process, and I’m fully aware of sometimes some coaches get fired and they are reforming the whole coaching staff,” he said. “It is understandable. I’m not really picky on the whole process. Some schools are going through the whole change.”

Te’o is devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint,s and he has made it clear that his religion will come first for a two-year period.

“I think the main thing in this whole thing is that I’m a Mormon, and I want to serve a Mormon mission. The mission is two years long and it starts when I turn 19. I will play football my freshman year and then I leave right after my football season and go on my mission and come back.”

Te’o receives the most correspondence from “USC, Colorado, BYU, UCLA, Stanford, Cal and recently Auburn.” It has given him the chance to connect with a few big-time coaches from those schools.

“There are some schools I talk to over the phone,” he said. “I have to call them or they call my coach… . LSU sends a lot of stuff, but definitely Stanford and USC and Colorado. I have really talked to some of their coaches.”

[GoRU]

ESPN - Te'o attributes success to coaches, teammates - Insider

Manti Te'o is not just the top football player on the beautiful island of Hawaii, the 230-pound linebacker is arguably one of the top defensive players in the country.

While some mainland folk may perceive his level of competition as inferior, it only takes a few film clips to see his striking abilities would be just as prevalent against opponents from powerhouse states like Texas, California or Florida. The Hawaii Gatorade Player of Year is grounded when speaking on his accomplishments, quick to point out he was not an overnight sensation and owes much of his blue-chip status to his teammates, family and two very influential coaches.

The ESPN 150 Watch List outside linebacker does not have to look far for his No. 1 supporter and most influential coach since he strapped on the pads as an 8-year-old. It is his father, Brian Te'o, an assistant on the Punahou football staff.

"My dad has been like my personal trainer and coach since I started playing full contact football at the youth level," Te'o said. "He made me who I am today."

The younger Te'o was not always as coordinated, fundamentally sound and aggressive as he is today. His father molded him into a great football player with time, effort and often unorthodox techniques. Those methods were instilled in Brian Te'o from his playing days at Kahuku High School, a program rich in tradition and blue-collar toughness.

His relentless, aggressive, smash-mouth style was inspired by his father at an early age. Whether playing in Honolulu or Miami, some kids just have it and some kids don't. Te'o has it -- just ask opposing quarterbacks.

It didn't take long to build a reputation on the island as a top-notch football player. In fact, he was recruited as early as middle school to the prestigious Punahou School by a coach with a fine pedigree and complementary coaching style to his father. Coach Kale Ane likely saw a reflection of himself when he first evaluated the adolescent gridiron star.

The Punahou head coach was also a standout prospect on the island playing at Punahou, followed by a career at Michigan State and then professionally for the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers from 1975-81. From talking with Te'o, it appears Ane's impact on developing the highly-coveted linebacker has been immeasurable. He was quick to point out Ane also shares similar enthusiasm for the game as his dad.

"Coach Ane has pushed me to become the player I am today and taught me to be a leader early in my career," Te'o said. "He recruited me so we are close, and he is a great influence."

Te'o, who is holding more than 20 scholarship offers, acknowledged the important role Ane has played for him off the field as well.

"Coach has gone through this [recruiting] and has helped guide me through the process. I have a good support system," said Te'o.

At Punahou, Ane was coached and greatly influenced by his late father Charlie Ane, a former NFL All-Pro center with the championship-winning Detroit Lions. It was only fitting he would invite the elder Te'o to coach on the Punahou staff when his son made the jump to varsity.

The two coaches appear to have done a commendable job collectively molding, motivating and supporting one of nation's finest defensive prospects while also instilling a pleasant demeanor -- at least until the helmet comes on.

Te'o's Scouts Inc. Evaluation

Te'o is a man amongst boys on film; it's very difficult to find any physical weaknesses in this kid's game at outside linebacker. He is tall, well-proportioned and thickly-built. Plays the game fast and with great intensity. Fills inside with a good base and shows great power and strength taking on pulling linemen and fullbacks at the point of attack; consistently forces blockers upright and the run inside. Rare athlete who can slip blockers with good lateral quickness or shed with his strong hand technique.

Explosive tackler who runs through ball carriers and limits second efforts. Excels attacking off the perimeter with his great burst and closing quickness; a nightmare for smaller backs and tight ends who stay home to block him on a blitz. Takes proper pursuit angles and plays faster than his listed 40 time on the football field. Displays great range chasing sideline-to-sideline and does not give up on the play, a relentless pursuer.

Excellent pass rusher. Quick first step to get the edge but it's his ability to turn the shoulder, get under the blocker's pads and bend down the line of scrimmage that's most impressive. Does not stop moving his hands or feet while rushing the quarterback. Shows good bend and sink in his hips in coverage and should match up well on tight ends in man-to-man.

However, he needs to work on his reads and diagnosing skills; frequently given the green light to attack freely off the edge. Sifting through the lateral traffic between the tackles is an area in need of improvement as well. Te'o's level of competition is a question mark, but he completely dominates on both sides of the ball (productive tailback). All the measurables to develop into an outstanding strong side or inside linebacker at the next level.

[HotMic]

Scout $

4/22

Fromt he ND site. Te'o says Notre Dame is recruiting him the hardest, and that he really likes coach Weis and Notre Dame. He will play in the UA AA Game.

[GoRU]

Daily Herald - Dickson: In search of Manti Te'o ... and other recruiting myths and legends

With everything that I'd read, heard and seen about Manti Te'o, I half expected him to arrive at this week's All-Poly Football Camp like Superman landing on Lex Luthor's kryptonite island in "Superman Returns."

For those who haven't been paying attention, Manti Te'o might be the single-most recruited LDS athlete ever. He's a bone-crushing 6-foot-2, 225-pound man-child linebacker from Punahau High School in Hawaii. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and is ranked as a Top 10 recruit. Just about every major football school in America wants him.

Go ahead, search for him on YouTube and prepare to be amazed.

Summer is the time for football prospects to show college coaches what they can do, and Te'o is among several hundred Polynesian and non-Polynesian studs (Haoli's are welcome, too) at the All-Poly Football Camp, which was created in 2001 by Manti's uncle, Alema Te'o.

So I gather up my two boys (so I can use the carpool lane) and trek up to Bountiful on Thursday to take in a few hours of the All-Poly Camp. I don't know Manti Te'o from Adam (nor does he know who I am) but as the BYU football beat writer for the Herald, I know I'll be writing a lot about him in the near future. I just want to see what all the fuss it about.

There is a rainbow of colored uniforms sitting in the stands at Bountiful, so I don't think I'll be able to find Te'o until I run into somebody that knows him, like Total Blue Sports guys Talo Steves and Brandon Gurney. But after the players listen to a pep talk from Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, they start to file out of the stands onto the practice field. And for some reason, my eyes come to rest on one kid. I mean, he's not even doing anything; he's just standing there, waiting to run out onto the field. I squint to get a better look at the piece of tape on the back of his helmet.

It reads, "Manti Te'o."

So he passes the eyeball test, much like Luke Staley did when I first saw him as a freshman at BYU back in 1999. During one of the first summer workouts, I saw Staley take a screen pass and run about 20 yards against air.

Wow.

Some people just look like athletes, and Te'o does. In fact, if he were running onto the BYU practice field instead of this high school football camp today, no one would bat an eye.

How much of Te'o is myth? How much is legend? Did he really call himself "The King?" Did he really tear off a 100-yard run from scrimmage last year for Punahau (everyone swears the back end of the ball was touching the goal line)?

It would seem like BYU has some huge advantages in recruiting Te'o: Religion, atmosphere, friends and family and a good football program. But BYU is not a program that has been to a BCS bowl game, or even has a realistic shot at winning a national title.

USC does, and on a Trojan recruiting site, Te'o is called a "once in a generation player."

USC wants Manti.

So do Penn State, and UCLA, and Texas Tech ...

Te'o participates in a "thud" tackling drill. The kid across the line from him is probably saying to himself, "Oh crap, that's Manti Te'o!" and when he tries to push Te'o, he couldn't budge him.

Scout.com says, "Te'o is a man amongst boys on film; it's very difficult to find any physical weaknesses in this kid's game at outside linebacker."

Te'o is the crown jewel for a ridiculously deep BYU recruiting class of 2009. Manti is a five-star recruit, and at least 10 others are four stars. Three of those 10 four-star guys -- Jray Galea'i (DB, Kahuku), Adam Timo (RB, Snow Canyon) and Craig Bills (DB, Timpview) -- have already committed to the Cougars.

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has said he doesn't like the recruiting process because it gives kids too much of a sense of entitlement. But he plays the recruiting game because it's the lifeblood of a college football program.

The All-Poly Camp is a good one. Not only does the camp provide players with exposure to more than 60 college coaches, but Alema Te'o also holds academic workshops for ACT test preparation, NCAA clearinghouse information and life skills.

Alema Te'o addresses the players before the beginning of camp, and gives them two pieces of advice: "Pay attention and go full speed."

And then, I kid you not: Former BYU and NFL offensive coordinator Norm Chow (now with UCLA) was working with one set of quarterbacks and current BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae was coaching the other group.

Recruiting makes strange bedfellows.

There are players from all over the world at the camp, including BYU wide receiver recruit Ross Apo from Texas and two teams from Samoa. Then there's Timpanogos linebacker JoJo Pili. Last year, Pili was named a defensive all-star at the camp.

"This camp is really intense," Pili said. "We'll never get a chance like this again to make a name for ourselves."

So will Manti Te'o end up in Provo? Haven't a clue. Chew on this, though: He's only attending two camps this summer, the All-Poly and the BYU camp.

All I know is, Manti looks like he can play all day.

[wadc45]

Scout.com: Te'o Trims List to Five

By Chris Fetters
Northwest Recruiting Analyst
Posted Sep 18, 2008

It was a rough weekend for Manti Te'o and the Buffnblu. Despite racking up a team-high 19 tackles, No. 1 Punahou was sent packing with a 40-19 loss to powerhouse St. Louis. While his teammates think about ways to come back with a victory, Te'o will be hitting the mainland to take care of some recruiting business during a bye week.

Continued...

[wadc45]

ESPN - Te'o heads strong class of Hawaiian prospects - Football Recruiting

Top recruit

Manti Te'o, outside linebacker
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Considering: USC, Notre Dame, UCLA, Stanford, BYU

When NFL scouts evaluate non-FBS players on film they are looking for one thing -- pure domination at their level. This translates to college scouts as well, and while Te'o may not play against the best competition in the country, when watching him on film it is clear he is a man among boys. In fact, we feel you could take Te'o's chiseled 230-pound frame and 4.5 speed to any state on the mainland and his competition would be greatly inferior.

Aside from his great size and strength needed to provide stout run defense at the point of attack, the No. 6 overall prospect in the country is fast, athletic and very explosive closing on the football in space. He knows just one speed on the field and it is 100 miles per hour -- on every snap. The buzz of being touted the nation's No. 1 prep linebacker has not gone to this fierce competitor's head.

Continued...

[wadc45]

Notre Dame quashes fans' efforts to sway football recruit -- chicagotribune.com

School quashes students' effort to sway prospect
By Brian Hamilton
11:10 PM CST, November 20, 2008

Manti Te'o, a Honolulu native and a prized linebacker recruit in the Class of 2009, will make a visit to Notre Dame this weekend.

And the Irish had to take action to ensure Te'o can make a return trip if he so chooses.

Notre Dame students hatched a plan to distribute about 8,000 leis outside Notre Dame Stadium at Saturday's game against Syracuse in honor of Te'o's visit, posting that plan on a fan Web site.

The problem? A concerted, organized effort such as that could be construed as an NCAA violation in which Notre Dame is publicizing a recruit's visit to campus and encouraging that recruit to attend the school. Once the Notre Dame compliance office received a missive about the plan, it bid the idea aloha.

Continued...

[HotMic]

ESPN College Football Recruiting On the Trail 2009

Top 'backer Manti Te'o schedules three visits
Under Armour All-American linebacker Manti Te'o doesn't have much free time between playing linebacker at Punahou High, playing basketball, talking to coaches by phone or hosting coaches at his family's home in Honolulu, but Te'o will find the time to take three official visits in January, ESPN affiliate Web site WeAreSC.com reports.

"He's going to BYU on Jan. 9th, Stanford on Jan. 14th and USC will be the last on Jan. 30th," said Manti's father, Brian Te'o.

Two head coaches and two assistant have stopped by the Te'o household so far for in-home visits. "Coach (Charlie) Weis and Coach (Jim) Harbaugh were the first two, and Coach (Ken) Norton from USC was the most recent," said the nation's No. 4-rated overall player.

[HotMic]

Scout $

1/24

From the Stanford site. Down to USC, UCLA and Notre Dame. Manti will make his choice on NLOID.

[HotMic]

ESPN College Football Recruiting On the Trail 2009

No. 1-rated defensive prospect Manti Te'o to Notre Dame
Under Armour All-American linebacker Manti Te'o has committed to the Irish live on ESPNU over USC and UCLA.