Then why did Kiffin, Shaw, Hoke AND Stoops say Te'o was the only defensive guy all year that they specifically schemed around?!? Are they lying? Why did they say they specifically isolated him, put an extra blocker on him, and made checks at the line for a play AWAY from him every time?Manti Te'o is not even the best LB in the country. Jarvis Jones is. So if wins don't matter for anyone but the QB, the Heisman should go to Jones or Clowney. I can seriously name 10 players in the country I would rather have over Te'o on my team. You plug CJ Mosely into Te'os role on ND, they are just as good, if not better than what they are now. MLB just do not change a teams game plan. Jarvis Jones is a game plan changer, Clowney is a game plan changer, Dee Milliner is a game plan changer. Te'o is just a hey if they tip the ball he might catch it player. He makes tackles, but not enough for the hype he has received.
Luke Kuechly had 191 tackles his senior year, 3 INTs, and a TD, didn't go to NYC for the Heisman. Explain what Te'o has done that is special other than be a good leader for ND?
I'm not saying Jones or Clowney aren't amazing. Clowney will be better in the NFL. But 7 picks is absurd.