Manti Te'o graces the cover of the regional Sports Illustrated

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- He's a Notre Dame Football favorite but now he is getting even more national attention. Senior defensive linebacker Manti Te'o is on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

It is only the regional cover. However, it is the first time Notre Dame football has been on the cover of the magazine in six years.

Last weekend, Te'o racked up 8 tackles and picked off two passes.

At the weekly press conference, Notre Dame's defensive coach had nothing but praise for the linebacker.

"I would say that Manti is the finest football player in America, all positions all teams.  He is a unique blend of being able to be kind and good and courteous and warm and friendly when he is not inside the gates, or inside the stripe.  And then when he is in there, he is an absolute warrior," said Bob Diaco.

The last time a Notr Dame player graced the cover of Sports Illustrated was in 2006 when Brady Quinn, Tom Zbikowski and Travis Thomas made the cover as a group.