PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich has been named as one of five finalists for the 2015 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year by the Football Writers Association of America. 
 
Matakevich is the NCAA’s active career leader in tackles (451) and has registered 96 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and five interceptions. He is the only player in FBS football who has finished as his team’s leading tackler in every game this season, and he needs four tackles to become the seventh player in FBS history to register four 100-tackles seasons.

The other candidates for the Nagurski Trophy are Duke safety Jeremy Cash, Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib, and Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland. 

Matakevich also is a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

The winner of the Nagurski Trophy will be announced Dec. 7.