Heisman Trophy 2012: Manti Te'o of Notre Dame embodies award's spirit

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o became the second college football player to win the Butkus, Nagurski and Lombardi awards and embodies the spirit of the Heisman Trophy, according to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune.

Te'o recorded 101 tackles and seven interceptions to help Notre Dame win all 12 of its game this season. The Fighting Irish allowed 10.3 points per game which ranked first in the nation.

Haugh claims that Te'o should win the award because "he embodies everything that is right about a sport full of too much wrong."

Haugh also compares Te'o to past winners Troy Smith and Jason White who both earned the Heisman Trophy by being the best player on the best team in the country. Haugh believes that Te'o fits that description.

The last defensive player to win the Heisman was Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997.

Notre Dame will play Alabama in the national championship game on Jan. 7.