Former Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich on the 2027 ballot for College Football Hall of Fame
From 2012 to 2015, Matakevich recorded a program-record 493 tackles, seven sacks, seven interceptions, and four forced fumbles at Temple.
A former Temple standout is among the players on the ballot for the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027.
From 2012 to 2015, linebacker Tyler Matakevich logged a program-record 493 tackles, seven sacks, seven interceptions, and four forced fumbles. He did most of his damage his senior year, when he helped the Owls gain a national ranking for the first time in 36 years.
He was named conference defensive player of the year and won the Chuck Bednarik Award from the Maxwell Club, which is given to the best defensive player in college football.
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Following his collegiate career, Matakevich was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2016 draft. He played nine seasons in the NFL, including four seasons with the Buffalo Bills sandwiched between his time in Pittsburgh. He announced his retirement from football this spring.
“I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with Tyler this spring,” Temple coach K.C. Keeler wrote in a statement. “While that was the first time we met face-to-face, I was very familiar with his history. You can’t be part of the Temple football program without being in awe of Tyler Matakevich’s career.”
Added Arthur Johnson, Temple’s athletic director: “While I was not here during Tyler’s time as a student-athlete, I am very well aware of his achievements. He was a tackling machine, but more importantly, he was a leader who helped raise the level of those around him. It’s no surprise that his years at Temple were some of the best years in the history of our football program.”
If Matakevich is inducted, he would join running back Paul Palmer as the only Owls players in the NFF College Football Hall of Fame. Temple has three coaches in the Hall: Glenn “Pop” Warner, Ray Morrison, and Wayne Hardin.
The announcement of the Class of 2027 will be made in early next year.