Lake Buena Vista, FL (Sports Network) - Notre Dame senior linebacker Manti Te'o captured the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player.
Te'o, looking to become the first defense-only player to win the Heisman Trophy, leads the top-ranked Fighting Irish with 103 tackles and set a Notre Dame single-season record for most interceptions by a player at his position with seven.
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones were the other finalists for the honor.
