We're used to thinking of Punahou School's Manti Te'o as an impact player for his sternum-rattling collisions.

But the decision the all-planet linebacker puts his signature to Wednesday on national letter of intent day will have an impact felt well beyond the field.

So highly is his potential prized and fought over that whatever school — Notre Dame, Southern California or UCLA — secures his services will gain a powerful symbol as much as a 6-foot-2, 233-pound defensive force. Which explains why the ante rises daily in what was already a highly-charged battle of marquee institutions.

"All there of them, particularly USC right now, have a need at linebacker," ESPN/Scouts Inc. analyst Tom Luginbill said yesterday. "I think he is one of the defensive players in this (national recruiting) class — maybe the only one — that is a true college-ready potential impact player ..."

Scouts Inc. has Te'o ranked the No. 2 prospect in the country behind USC-bound quarterback Matt Barkley. But before Te'o puts on a helmet for his new team or lays out his first quarterback, he will be saying a lot about the school he chooses.

In this UCLA is the one with the most to gain and the one that can take the biggest leap. The Bruins, coming off a 4-8 season, have boldly vowed to close the gap with down-the-freeway behemoth USC, even going so far last year to mount a marketing campaign that blared, "The Football Monopoly in Los Angeles is Officially Over."

A decision by Te'o to take the Bruins over the Trojans, who have been Linebacker U. of late, would be one of the first significant signs of movement and quite a bragging right for head coach Rick Neuheisel. One UCLA desperately needs.

"I think that would be a huge, huge coup for them because, in beating your cross-town rival, who, right now, is the king of recruiting and one of the kings of college football, it would be a huge step in the right direction," Luginbill said.

Likewise for Notre Dame (7-6), which has fallen deep into the Trojans' shadow and could trumpet Te'o as a continuation of the momentum that began with the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl victory over UH. "He would upgrade Notre Dame's defense the most of all those three teams," Luginbill said.

The Trojans, heavily hit by departures, could use Te'o to help reload and help project continued dominance, though with what is already rated as the fifth best recruiting class this year by Scouts Inc., USC isn't nearly as desperate as its pursuers.

People around Te'o tell you he is intrigued by the idea of going some place where he won't just be a cog, but someone who can be a major difference maker. His suitors hope so, too.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.