Dean Michaels

Manti Te'o is eliminating all possible distractions to focus on his NFL career as San Diego Chargers linebacker.

Te'o has signed a four-year deal with the Chargers .

He played at inside linebacker during the portion of practice open to the media and is expected to vie for a starting spot at that position with San Diego.

"I'm not focusing on what is going on on the outside. I'm worried about what we're doing here in San Diego and I'm looking forward to when the veterans come in on Monday," he said, apparently referring to the girlfriend hoax incident that put him in the spotlight for the wrong reason.

As a senior at Notre Dame, Te'o was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy while intercepting seven passes -- the most by a major college linebacker in a single season since 2001. He led the Fighting Irish with 113 tackles en route to a No. 1

national ranking and Bowl Championship Series national-title game appearance against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

However, Te'o failed to impress as Notre Dame was blown out by Alabama, 42-14, and then had a less-than-stellar effort at the NFL combine.

Once thought to be a top-20 pick in the NFL draft, the Chargers selected him in the second round.

"We are going to plug him in there on Monday and he will be in that first huddle with everybody else," said San Diego Coach Mike McCoy.

Manti Te'o Focused on NFL Career with Chargers - NFL 2013