PHILADELPHIA – The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich (Stratford, Conn.) in the 7th round of the 2016 National Football League Draft on Saturday afternoon.
Matakevich was the 246th selection in the 2016 NFL Draft and the 26th pick of the 7th round.
Matakevich is perhaps the most decorated student-athlete in Temple history having won the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defensive player in 2015. He was also a consensus first-team All-American – the first Temple defensive player to ever earn that distinction. As a senior, he helped lead the Owls to a school record 10 wins and a Top 25 ranking for the first time in 36 years when he compiled 138 tackles, 4.