Scout’s Corner: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame Scouting Report

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Every week on Tuesday and Thursday, we will focus on one of the draft eligible prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft. At season’s end, we will have compiled a healthy stockpile of scouting reports for you all to use as you gear up for the draft. Scout’s Corner will feature in-depth scouting report that will be updated with regularity. You will be able to find all of the scouting reports in one spot by just CLICKING HERE.

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In today’s installment of Scout’s Corner, we will be taking a look at Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te’o. Te’o has been a highly touted linebacker since his days in high school, so it comes as no surprise that he is now ranking among the elite NFL prospects.

Te’o is a tackling machine — totaling 120 plus tackles in each of his last two seasons. He has also been the Fighting Irish’s top playmaker and leader on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season, Te’o was a Second-Team All-American and he hopes to keep up that level of play for his senior campaign.

To get the scoop on Te’o, continue on for the latest edition of Scout’s Corner.

NOTE: All measurables taken from Te’o’s athletic bio.

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 255-pounds

Strengths: As a senior, there is no questioning the experience that Te’o will bring to the table. He is as well-rounded of a linebacker that you will find at the collegiate level and his versatility is sure to attract attention. Whether it be in a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme, Te’o is your prototypical linebacker with an incredible nose for the ball.

Te’o is productive in coverage and blitzing, but his defense against the rush is what really sets him apart from the rest.

There is no glaring weakness in Te’o’s game and he should be able to start from day one in the NFL.

Weaknesses: As previously stated, Te’o has no glaring weakness in his game. However, he could use the extra time in college to develop his pass rushing skills. While Te’o is proficient in that aspect of his game, he would benefit from focusing on improving the area that NFL scouts and GMs treasure.

Overview: If Te’o would have declared for the 2012 NFL Draft, he would have been a likely first-round pick. Te’o now appears to be a sure-fire first-rounder in the 2013 NFL Draft and with yet another productive season he could see his stock raise into the top ten selections.

Te’o is very smart and an exceptional athlete that can contribute in any aspect of the game. Te’o is an incredible prospect and could pass last year’s Boston College product Luke Kuechly as one of the most NFL ready and best linebacker prospects in recent memory.

I fully expect Te’o to be a top ten pick when the 2013 NFL Draft concludes.

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