Monday, October 31, 2011

Te'o named Butkus semifinalist October, 25, 2011

By Matt Fortuna
For the second straight year, Manti Te'o is a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, given each season to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.

Te'o won the inaugural high school version of the award in 2008, while at Punahou High School in Laie, Hawaii.

The junior leads Notre Dame this season with 69 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Te'o is one of 12 semifinalists for the collegiate award. Finalists will be announced Nov. 22, with the winner being announced by Dec. 7.

Polynesian All-American Bowl

All-Star game lineup for 2012

U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Start: 2001

2012 Game date, site: Jan. 7, Alamodome, San Antonio

Underclassmen combine: Yes

Television: NBC

Unique feature: As the oldest of the games, it has the most alumni in the NFL and the best TV location.

Under Armour All-American Game

Start: 2008

2012 Game date, site: To be determined. Last year's game was Jan. 5 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Underclassmen combine: Yes

Television: ESPN

Unique feature: Televised skills challenge on ESPN2 and televised practice sessions on ESPNU and ESPN2

Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

Start: 2012

2012 Game date, site: Jan. 3, Chase Field, Phoenix

Underclassmen combine: Yes

Television: Negotiating with CBS Sports Network

Unique feature: Selection show will air on CBS

USA Football vs. The World

Start: 2010

2012 Game site: Feb. 1 (National Signing Day). Site to be determined. Last year's game was Feb. 2 at Westlake High, Austin, Texas

Underclassmen combine: No, but Team Trials were held Memorial Day weekend in Marietta, Ga.

Television: Fox College Sports Central carried live, Feb. 11 on NFL Network

Unique feature: Not an all-star game, it pits top U.S. players 19 and under vs. a World Team

Offense-Defense Bowl

Start: 2007

2012 Game site: To be determined. Last year's game was Jan. 31 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Underclassmen combine: Yes.

Television: Comcast Sports

Unique feature: Has a youth all-star game during the week prior to the game.

Polynesian All-American Bowl

Start: 2011

2012 Game site: To be determind. Last year's game was Jan. 15 at Cathedral High, Los Angeles

Underclassmen combine: None

Television: None

Unique feature: Game is for players of Pacific Islands descent