Te'o also beat out Manziel and Klein for the Maxwell Award. Te'o is the third defensive player to win and fourth Notre Dame player to be selected. Te'o beat out the other Walter Camp finalists: Manziel, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, USC receiver Marqise Lee and Oregon running back Kenjon Barner. The Walter Camp award is voted on by the 124 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors. "Everybody knows you don't do it with one guy," Kelly said. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, who was presented with the Coach of the Year award after leading the Irish to their first 12-0 regular season since 1988, said Te'o is an example of the family culture he's tried to build in his three seasons in South Bend. Te'o finished the regular season with 103 tackles and seven interceptions. "It's a testament that the Lord answered my prayers and that I had 80-plus brothers there with me, sacrificing for me." "I never thought that me coming back for my senior year would be the best situation for me with the tragedy," Te'o said.
Wearing a black beaded lei representing his native Hawaii, Te'o said coming back to play football following the deaths of his grandmother and girlfriend just four days apart this season makes everything he's achieved since then more worthwhile. So to win it is a mind-blowing experience." "The last time I ever dreamt of winning that award was on a video game. "I'm at a loss for words," he said of winning the Maxwell. Then Te'o will try to help the Fighting Irish dethrone defending champion Alabama in the Discover BCS National Championship Game. Next up is the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday night, with Te'o and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel considered the favorites.
He became the first defensive player to win the Maxwell Award since 1980, ending a string of nine straight quarterbacks. Te'o has now won six major awards since the end of Notre Dame's regular season, also taking home the Bednarik Award for top defensive player and Walter Camp Foundation player of the year award on Thursday. Te'o was honored three times at the 22nd Home Depot College Football Awards show Thursday night at Disney World, including the Maxwell Award for the nation's most outstanding player. Notre Dame's Manti Te'o shows off his trophies after winning the Maxwell and Bednarik awards Thursday.
Now the linebacker needs two more victories to cap an unforgettable senior season. From Notre Dame's unbeaten regular season to college football's biggest awards, Manti Te'o just keeps winning.