One of the most productive players on the defensive side of the ball that most people have likely never heard of has been regarded for his on-field excellence.
Late Monday night, the Football Writers Association of America announced that Temple’s Tyler Matakevich has been named as the 2015 recipient of the 2015 Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The Nagurski is handed out annually and honors the nation’s top defensive player.
The other finalists for this year’s award were Duke safety Jeremy Cash, Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib and Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland.
Matakevich, a two-star 2012 recruit, was the only player in the country this season to lead his team in tackles in every game. He also became the seventh player in college football history to record 100 tackles in four straight seasons, and the first since Houston’s Marcus McGrew from 2008-11.
The Owls were the only FBS program to offer Matakevich a scholarship coming out of high school in Connecticut.
“They (most recruiters) told me I was too small, too slow and I could not play at this level,” Matakevich said. “It was everybody. ...
"[Head coach Matt Rhule] saw that I could be a hard-nosed, physical football player. All the time I always tell him thank you for bringing me here. He says, ‘No, thank you.’ I said, “You believed in me.’ He said he saw potential.”
Matakevich, Temple’s first-ever defensive first-team Al-American, is also a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy.