New Haven, CT (Sports Network) - Notre Dame senior linebacker Manti Te'o has been named the 2012 winner of the Walter Camp Award, honoring the college football player of the year as voted by coaches and sports information directors.
Te'o helped lead the Fighting Irish to an unbeaten regular season and a date with Alabama in the BCS championship game on Jan. 7.
The Hawaii native posted 103 tackles and set a Notre Dame single-season record for most interceptions by a linebacker with seven.
Te'o is the third defensive player to earn the honor, joining Hugh Green (1980) and Charles Woodson (1997).
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, USC wide receiver Marqise Lee and Oregon running back Kenjon Barner were the other finalists.
