CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who was named last week as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player, was chosen as the 2015 winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defensive player. The announcement was made Monday by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Matakevich was chosen as the winner among four other finalists: Duke safety Jeremy Cash, Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib and Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland.
The active career tackle leader in the NCAA FBS, Matakevich has recorded more than 100 tackles in all four seasons at Temple.