Te'o

BUILDING BLOCKS: The defense allowed nearly 400 yards per game (397.75) but does return eight starters, including linebacker Manti Te'o, who had 63 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, as a true freshman.

Notre Dame - Team Notes 2010

Te'o, out of Punahou (Honolulu) was the 12th-ranked overall recruit according to Rivals. com and adds immediate help to Notre Dame, a team looking to bolster its defense.

Signing Day 2009: LSU, 'Bama share wealth with top classes 2009

Notre Dame put in the miles — literally and figuratively — to convince Punahou (Honolulu) linebacker Manti Te'o that South Bend was the place for him.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009

A longtime USC fan, Te'o agonized over his choice.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009

Te'o, a Mormon, said he will play his freshman year and then decide whether to go on a mission.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming called Te'o Notre Dame's biggest impact player at linebacker since Bob Crable nearly 30 years ago.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009

Te'o, who helped Punahou to a state championship, was USA TODAY's defensive player of the year.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009

"Their recruiting coordinator, Brian Polian, flew here every week from South Bend, and that just shows me his determination and dedication, and I took that into consideration," Te'o, the No. 1 linebacker in USA TODAY's consolidated rankings, told The Honolulu Advertiser.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009

In addition to Te'o, Southern California failed to land Centennial (Corona, Calif.) linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who signed with Arizona State.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009

"It was a hard decision for us," Te'o told the newspaper.

Linebackers: Travel time helps Notre Dame land Hawaii's Te'o 2009