Tyler Matakevich

After high school, Matakevich attended a prep school for one season where he was discovered by Temple's Matt Rhule, who was in his first season as head coach of the Owls. Matakevich made an instant impact as a true freshman, playing in every game and becoming the first freshman in school history to record 100 tackles. He is now a four-year starter and had the most career tackles by any active player in the FBS at the end of last season. Matakevich also became just the seventh defender in FBS history with four straight 100-tackle seasons. "Mat is the heart and soul of that defense, everything goes through him," an NFC North executive told NFLDraftScout.com during the season. "That's something that shows up on film and during practice. He knows his physical limitations, but works like the devil to max out all of his senses. You don't have as much production as he has just by accident." Matakevich said that while he has been productive since stepping onto the field with the Owls, he has grown significantly as a football player. "I now better understand the prep that you need on Saturdays, it takes so much time," he told NFLDraftScout.com. "Most don't see all the work, just the results. They don't see the work during the week, the practice, the time in the film room. The hard work is the biggest thing I've learned." Matakavich also knows his competitive fire will be seen as an asset to scouts. "People follow me as an example," he said. "I think I have a knack for getting things done and so people follow and ask how I do it. I'm not a screamer or yeller, I like my actions speak. It's something I've done my whole life and something I take pride in."

isn't physically impressive with average size and athleticism, although he makes up for his lack of quick-twitch change of direction with smart movements. he will be overaggressive at times and abandon run lanes, biting on play fakes and struggling to make off-balanced tackles.

IN OUR VIEW

strengths

The unquestioned leader of the Owls, Matakevich doesn't play with hesitation, showing terrific first step quickness and anticipation to read and react with little wasted movement. He takes smart angles with strong hands to make finger-tip tackles and take-on blocks, shedding to unglue himself from bodies.

matakevich is extremely physical, which will work against him at times, but his football awareness and hustle jump off the screen as the unquestioned leader of one of the country's top defenses.

--Dane Brugler (2/12/16)

has terrific timing as a blitzer and plays like a controlled mad man, hitting another gear once he sees red. he also does a nice job floating in zone coverage to attack throwing lanes and break up throws.

WEAKNESSES

Played linebacker for coach Bill Chaplick at Milford Academy for one season

ranked #38 LB in the country by 247Sports

also ranked the #10 recruit in the state of New York and the #5 outside linebacker. Played LB and RB for coach Joe Della Vecchia at St. Joseph’s HS

2011 All-State honoree at LB

helped the Cadets to a 10-2 record his senior season en route to back-to-back state championship titles

2010 Connecticut Post Male Athlete of the Year

set the school record for touchdowns in a game with five against Trumball as a junior

also played baseball

2010 first-team Connecticut Post All-Star

2010 All-FCIAC honoree

led the team as a junior with a.372 batting average, 32 RBI, and five homeruns.

Born Tyler John Matakevich on 12/22/92

parents are Kim and David Matakevich

has an older sister, Ashley (23), who graduated from Sacred Heart in 2012 where she was a four-year letterwinner in track and field

she holds the school records in the long jump and in the triple jump

earned degree in adult & organizational development.

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	9.4	47.0	5.0