Matakevich Named Nations Defensive Player of the Year

Temple Senior Linebacker Tyler Matakevich earned the Chuck Bednarik Award as the Collegiate Defensive Player of the Year by the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. This is his second defensive player of the year award for the 2015 season after receiving the Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Year award on Monday.

Matakevich has received a number of post-season accolades including a spot on the Walter Camp Foundation All-America first team. Last week the Stratford, CT native earned the honor of being named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was the only unanimous selection to the all-conference first team.

The Senior linebacker won the Bednarik Award over two other finalists: Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib and Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland. Matakevich is currently the tackle leader in the NCAA FBS with over 100 tackles and is the seventh player in FBS history to record over 100 tackles in four different seasons. In 13 games this season, Matakevich made 126 total tackles along with five pass interceptions and one quarterback hurry. It is without surprise that with these honors and statistics that Matakevich is currently a top prospect for the NFL.