Temple University Athletics
Matakevich Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
7.10.15 | Football, T. Matakevich - All-American Candidate
PHILADELPHIA – The Football Writers Association of American announced its 2015 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and Temple's senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich is among that 88-player list.
Earlier this week, Matakevich was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. Temple junior running back Jahad Thomas (Paul Hornung Award) and senior center Kyle Friend (Rimington Award) have also earned recognition on preseason Watch Lists.
Matakevich has made the college football world take notice since he won the Big East Conference Freshman Player of the Year in 2012 when he became the first Temple freshman to eclipse the 100-tackle plateau. Now entering his senior season, the Stratford, Conn., native has strung together three seasons with over 100 tackles and can become only the seventh player in NCAA history to reach that milestone in four straight seasons. His 355 career tackles are over 60 more than the closest active player entering the 2015 season.
As in past seasons, the FWAA will announce a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday from early September through mid November. If not already on the watch list, the honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2015 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 19.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2014 FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's entire membership, selects the 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner, the best defensive player in college football. The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet, presented by ACN, will be held on December 7 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast more than 700 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more.
The FWAA has named a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in its 75th year of existence, consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
Earlier this week, Matakevich was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. Temple junior running back Jahad Thomas (Paul Hornung Award) and senior center Kyle Friend (Rimington Award) have also earned recognition on preseason Watch Lists.
Matakevich has made the college football world take notice since he won the Big East Conference Freshman Player of the Year in 2012 when he became the first Temple freshman to eclipse the 100-tackle plateau. Now entering his senior season, the Stratford, Conn., native has strung together three seasons with over 100 tackles and can become only the seventh player in NCAA history to reach that milestone in four straight seasons. His 355 career tackles are over 60 more than the closest active player entering the 2015 season.
As in past seasons, the FWAA will announce a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday from early September through mid November. If not already on the watch list, the honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2015 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 19.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2014 FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's entire membership, selects the 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner, the best defensive player in college football. The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet, presented by ACN, will be held on December 7 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast more than 700 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more.
The FWAA has named a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in its 75th year of existence, consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
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