This past 2012-2013 College Football Season, Manti Te’o was regarded as the best defensive player in the game, if not best player. He was a fan favorite and ultimately a hero for Notre Dame. He was the icon of College Football, and he was the reason the Fighting Irish went from starting the season unranked, to playing in the BCS National Championship Game.
By the end of the season, he seemed to be a lock for the Heisman Trophy. In fact, Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly said if he doesn’t win it, then the Heisman Trophy should be regarded as only an Offensive Award. As we all know he didn’t win it, and many still disagree with that decision. However, it seemed like every sports analyst was rooting for him.
Manti Te’o, who was initially a lock for the Heisman Trophy, was expected to go in the Top 5 of the 2013 NFL Draft. Now, he’s not projected to go until the end of the First Round or even the Second Round. This absolutely blows my mind! Te’o performed better this past season than any defensive player has in years. He brought a decent Notre Dame team to a BCS National Championship. Now, because of an internet hoax (which he may or may not have been involved in) he’s projected to go in the Second Round?
Defensive players in the NFL aren’t artists. They smell blood. They feel no pain. They love hurting people. They are instead, demolitionists. To play this position in the NFL you have to have something loose in your head. They’re bad dudes that love being bad. I’m not talking just Manti Te’o, but I’m talking about every Defensive Juggernaut in the NFL. They’re mental makeup is unlike any others. They’re all like this; and that’s why they’re good. Take Ray Lewis for example. Just 10 years ago, he was convicted of killing 2 people. Traces of blood of the murdered victims were found in his stretch limousine and the white suit he was wearing the next before was never found again. 10 years later Ray Lewis is regarded as The Best Defensive Player to ever play the game. It’s the same old story with all these guys.
If I’m drafting and Manti Te’o is still out there, I’m taking him. Defensive players are always “In Deep,” whether it is with the law or anything else. You just have to expect and accept this in the NFL. Manti Te’o’s performance this season can’t go unnoticed and neither can his NFL upside.