Manti Te'o deserves to win the Heisman Trophy

Notre Dame captain linebacker Manti Te'o could have entered the NFL draft last season but he chose to return for his senior year; wise choice. He leads an Irish defense that ranks best in the Nation and is the main reason for Notre Dame's 12-0 record and shot at the BCS Title. Te'o has always been a tackling machine so it was no surprise that he racked up over 100 of them, but his nine takeaways were something new (seven interceptions and two forced fumbles). His seven interceptions is best in the country. Looking at those stats and realizing an inside linebacker posted them is eye opening. Yet, it's not just about the stats when it comes to Manti Te'o. This guy is a true leader and makes everyone around him better. What impressed me the most though was how he handled the tragedies in his personal life. It was in early September, the Tuesday before their Saturday night game against Michigan State, when Te'o got word from his family back home in Hawaii that his Grandmother had passed away. Hours later Manti's girlfriend died in a battle with leukemia. The linebacker didn't miss a practice that week and lead his team to victory the following Saturday. That's true strength.
After the season Manti Te'o had, a season yet to end (BCS Title game), there's no way the Heisman Trophy should be given to either of the other two nominees; Johnny Manziel and Collin Klein, both quarterbacks, of course. Defense is underrated and under appreciated and it shows by how often offensive players win the Heisman. If Te'o doesn't win the Heisman Trophy then College Football should make it an offensive player award because the voters are biased as hell. Pardon my language. I'll have my fingers crossed for Manti Te'o tonight when we find out who the winner is. And I can't wait to see him play in the NFL next year, this guy is going to be a great one.

**FACT**- Since being created in 1935 the Heisman Trophy has been awarded 77 times... only three of them to defensive players. 1936- Defensive End Larry Kelley, 1949 Defensive End Leon Hart, and 1997 Cornerback Charles Woodson.