June 21, 2010
DALLAS – University of Notre Dame sophomore linebacker Manti Te’o has been named to the 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, announced by the Football Writers Association of America on Monday. The award is given to the nation’s top defensive player at the Charlotte Touchdown Club annual awards banquet.
Te’o, one of 74 players announced to the preseason watch list, played in all 12 games last season. He started 10 contests and recorded the third-most tackles ever by a Notre Dame freshman. Te’o ranked fourth on team with 63 stops. He added 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and one pass breakup.
Te’o became a full-time starter in fifth game of season against Washington and proceeded to register 57 tackles over last eight games, which was the second most of any player on the squad over the stretch. He recorded 10 tackles against both Washington, his first career start, and in the season finale at Stanford.
Players may be added or deleted to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List during the season. Each week during the 2010 season, the FWAA will choose a Defensive Player of the Week. If that player is not on the Watch List, he automatically will be added. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 18.
The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 6 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Besides the 2010 winner being announced, the banquet will also celebrate the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award, presented by CSX Intermodal. Defensive tackle Mike McCoy, a standout for Notre Dame, is being honored from the FWAA’s 1969 All-America team.
— ND —