'09 HI LB Manti Te'o (Notre Dame Man)

[WabashFalcon]

A couple more things on Te'o:

*** I was talking to my diehard ND friend who really is in tune with these things, and he was me a few more things about the Te'o recruitment:

1) During Manti's visit, CW had him meet with the 3 or 4 Mormon professors at ND. The profs told Manti about what a faith-filled university ND is, and how he'd be free to worship how he pleased without having to worry about it being looked down upon.

2) I'm not sure if this is even possible, but the ND people were telling Te'o just to tell them where he wanted to do his mission and they had contacts all over the world (I believe the contacts part, but I'm not sure a missionary is allowed to dictate where he goes on his mission). This part I'd take with a grain of salt.

3) Brian Polian flew to Hawaii and was at his practice EVERY THURSDAY. Unreal. Polian wouldn't bug him; he just said he was there to watch and he'd be there every week, and if he had any questions just ask. Unbelievable dedication shown by CW, Polian and the staff. Polian wasn't overbearing at all; he played this recruit the EXACT right way. Outstanding.

**** Another sign from God (I like to think): A student from nearby Mt. St. Mary's college is observing me as part of the process for her to become a teacher. Turns out she's from Hawaii. When she told me she was from Hawaii, I asked if she'd heard of Manti, and she looked at me like I was crazy. Of course she's heard of him! Her best friend goes to ND, another friend of hers played football with Manti for 2 years, and she was hoping that Manti would choose ND. I told her to look behind her, and she saw my ND calendar and other ND paraphenalia, and she told me all her Manti stories (and yes all you horn-dogs; she's very attractive--part Hawaiian, Chinese, and Irish, a tad bit overweight though. I got a fantastic lady that I love to death and I would NEVER step out on her, but I will admit this girl is very easy on the eyes.

Oh yeah, getting back to Te'o. Umm, he's really good...

Two things I would have to guess about Polian now:

He is SICK of airline food.
He has seen every inflight movie ever created.
He logged enough frequent flyer miles to get a one-way ticket to the freaking moon.

 

[wicket]

Two things I would have to guess about Polian now:

He is SICK of airline food.
He has seen every inflight movie ever created.
He logged enough frequent flyer miles to get a one-way ticket to the freaking moon.

lets extend this theme:
flight attendents not only know him by name but also his family.
he by now is more or less capable to fly one of those birds himself
statistically he should have been part of a planecrash by now
he has the sickest liquor cabinet ever on acount of duty free booz

 

[HawaiianIrish]

Punahou 21 Manti Te'o 2 pts vs Kahuku - Punahou School

I am happy to report Manti and Roby have completed basketball season injury free. Here is a clip from a playoff game. Manti is 21 and Roby is 1

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

It still makes me smile when I see this thread with Signed LOI after Manti's name. I'm so excited to see this kid play.

 

[irishmarine]

me too but it makes me more and more impacient.

 

[HawaiianIrish]

New Manti TEO article

New Manti TEO article

Manti Te’o - more than just a football star | MidWeek Cover Story | Midweek.com

Taken from the Hawaii Midweek.

 

[dylan020]

what a kid, he sure does have his head on his shoulders for an 18 year old!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Nice. He is a man.

He is going to love ND du Lac.

Mahalo

 

[irish4ever]

Very good read. Sounds like a special kid heading to a special educational institution. Looking forward to have him play for our beloved Irish!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Great read!!! If you're an ND fan you have to read this article. What a fantastic young man!

But read what CW did in the article just to get him. Such an honest coach, and such an anti-Kiffin, anti-Poodle, anti-Sarkesian. And his honesty and the persistance of Pollian are huge reasons for Manti being Irish.

Also check out this quote:

the final decision didn’t come easy. It was back and forth. One day it was Notre Dame and the next USC. And what if he made the wrong choice?

“They say it’s a four-year decision, but it’s actually a 40-year decision,” he says. “Wherever you go is going to shape you into the person you are going to be.”

Gotta love it...

 

[IrishAddiction]

excellent article, and excellent quote about the 40 year decision.....i just heard another recruit talking about that in the 2010 class. Forte from Conneticut i believe.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

It's not every day you read about an 18 year old with that kind of character and mindset. Very refreshing in this day and age to see those kinds of values in a young man. This kid is going to be special. Not just from a football standpoint, but from the perspective as a human being.

Best of luck Manti!

 

[Irishlew]

love this kid.

 

[irishmarine]

great find and great read

 

[WaveDomer]

I like that ND is respectful throughout the process.

 

[NDty9]

Just wanted to get the buzz goin again about Manti! im still pumped!...... Out of curiosity, how soon does everyone think Manti will contribute??? Im guessing VERY soon!

 

[Irishlew]

He'll be on campus in June, and he has 3 months to earn a starting job. I think he will too. No way he doesn't get PT.

 

[NDty9]

I have to agree... Between the fact that he seems to already be built for college ball, and his natural talent, he should get going QUICK!..... Im very interested to see how well the Defense can play, with the solid linebackers, along with a very strong secondary... should be great. Hopefully the D line can hold its weight as well!

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

CW pretty much told us during one of his recent pressers that Manti is going to be that other inside LB.

Explains why Brian Smith was moved to OLB. The way coaches are praising Toryan Smith, Brian Smith is a beast, and Manti...this could be a great back 7.

Let's hope Randy and Bryant get these young D line guys ready to rumble come September.

Our defense kept us in a lot of games the past two years, and it will def. be stronger for us this year with Tenuta calling plays

 

[SoCalDomer]

CW pretty much told us during one of his recent pressers that Manti is going to be that other inside LB.

do you have a quote?

only thing i've read is that CW thinks he could play any one of the LB positions. not that he would start. not that he already has ILB locked down.

from a 3/28 press conf:

How do you factor Manti’s (Te’o) potential into the linebackers’ situation?

“Well, you see Manti is a person that can play Sam, Mike, or Will. He could play any of those positions, so I think what you do is find where you are most vulnerable, where are you weakest, and then put him in a position where he can compete at that position. I think we are a long way away from having those answers yet. Remember Darius (Fleming) isn’t out there hitting every day. He is another guy who is a potential Sam linebacker as was listed on the depth chart. I think by the time spring is over and all of a sudden it’s summertime and he’s in here too, you have to see where you find yourself most vulnerable. He has position flexibility which gets you an opportunity to at least put him in a position to compete relatively quickly.”

when you consider that the defense will show more of a base 4-3 and play 4-3 nickel often this year, that "other inside" LB position (i.e. two ILBs in a 3-4) won't be used often anyway.

 

[TheHockeyMick17]

My favorite part about this kid, besides the freak-of-nature athletic ability he has, is the fact that on all accounts, he is a good, hard-working, respectful kid. There is still something to be said about drafting quality PEOPLE and not just quality RECRUITS in this day and age.....

 

[jjsccer2]

anybody know where to find the video of the coaches reacting to te'o's announcement?

 

[jason_h537]

UND.com has it but you gotta look for it under Multimedia then ALL-Access. There really is no link so its a pain.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Manti Teo has arrived on campus at Notre Dame baby. Feels good to say that...

 

[BGIF]

Manti Teo has arrived on campus at Notre Dame baby. Feels good to say that...

Has Beano announced how many Heisman's he'll win?

"Best defensive player on either side of the ball since Lujack"

 

[jason_h537]

All freshman arrive this weekend. Shaq Evans had been working out with Dayne Crist and says hes put on weight as well.

 

[Junkhead]

I have a feeling this kid is all Irish.

 

[BGIF]

I have a feeling this kid is all Irish.

His parents worse fears realized:

"Tackle by Mickey O'Te'o!"

 

[BGIF]

Notre Dame football: Good-bye comfort zone

ND star recruit Manti Te'o blazing a trail of his own

<!--END Headline--><!--Extra Eyebrow Field--><!--ArticleByline-->By JEFF CARROLL
Special to the Tribune

Nothing special about the article. Nothing new, rehash of previously reported stories about his changing schools. Mostly a Hawaii travelogue filler piece. I didn't bother with a link as what's there has largely been covered in this thread already. I did learn that the 5th oldest Mormon temple is located in the small town Te'o lives in.

 

[WabashFalcon]

Hey....












We got a chance to get this guy?