In response to the September 11th terrorist attacks, Nate Boyer enlisted in the military and joined the Green Berets. After finishing his enlistment and earning a Bronze Star, Boyer set his sights on football and walked on at the University of Texas. (6:25)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- From Notre Dame's unbeaten regular season to college football's biggest awards, Manti Te'o just keeps winning.

Now the linebacker needs two more victories to cap an unforgettable senior season.

Notre Dame's Manti Te'o shows off his trophies after winning the Maxwell and Bednarik awards Thursday. AP Photo/John Raoux

Te'o was honored three times at the 22nd Home Depot College Football Awards show Thursday night at Disney World, including the Maxwell Award for the nation's most outstanding player.

Te'o has now won six major awards since the end of Notre Dame's regular season, also taking home the Bednarik Award for top defensive player and Walter Camp Foundation player of the year award on Thursday. He became the first defensive player to win the Maxwell Award since 1980, ending a string of nine straight quarterbacks.

Next up is the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday night, with Te'o and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel considered the favorites. Then Te'o will try to help the Fighting Irish dethrone defending champion Alabama in the Discover BCS National Championship Game.

"I'm at a loss for words," he said of winning the Maxwell. "The last time I ever dreamt of winning that award was on a video game. So to win it is a mind-blowing experience."

Wearing a black beaded lei representing his native Hawaii, Te'o said coming back to play football following the deaths of his grandmother and girlfriend just four days apart this season makes everything he's achieved since then more worthwhile.

"I never thought that me coming back for my senior year would be the best situation for me with the tragedy," Te'o said. "It's a testament that the Lord answered my prayers and that I had 80-plus brothers there with me, sacrificing for me."

Te'o finished the regular season with 103 tackles and seven interceptions.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, who was presented with the Coach of the Year award after leading the Irish to their first 12-0 regular season since 1988, said Te'o is an example of the family culture he's tried to build in his three seasons in South Bend.