Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Temple's big-tackling Matakevich working on pass coverage

Linebacker Tyler Matakevich was a tackling machine in his first three seasons at Temple, yet the coaching staff is looking for more.

Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich. (John Geliebter/USA Today Sports)
Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich. (John Geliebter/USA Today Sports)Read more

Linebacker Tyler Matakevich was a tackling machine in his first three seasons at Temple, yet the coaching staff is looking for more.

The staff understands he has the tackling part down pat. Matakevich enters the year with 355 career tackles, more than any other current NCAA player.

He has had at least 100 tackles in each of his three seasons. This year, he will aim to join just six other players in major-college football history to make it four in a row.

Coach Matt Rhule, who feels without a doubt that Matakevich will be an NFL player, has said this spring that he would like to see the 6-foot-1, 240-pounder improve in pass coverage.

"He is such a dynamic player in terms of making plays instinctive," Rhule said. "We're looking for him to be a little better in pass coverage, breaking up balls and picking off balls and to be as physical a player as he can be."

Matakevich plays weakside linebacker and has two career interceptions. During spring practices he has received plenty of repetitions defending the pass.

"It is fast out here," said Matakevich, a native of Stratford, Conn. "You have got to be focused each play, and once one is over you have to get ready for the next one."

He said the key is not to dwell on the previous play, good or bad. "You have to have a short-term memory," Matakevich said.

Rhule says Matakevich's progress has been noticeable in pass coverage.

"He picked a pass off Thursday in our cover 2 when linebackers have to step up and make plays," Rhule said. "I have been pleased with Tyler. He has worked really hard and is trying to work on the things he is not great at, to make his weaknesses his strengths."

He said a strenuous offseason program has paid off.

"I worked on my speed and footwork," he said. "If I can increase those things, it will make myself better and this defense better."

Matakevich said he was making an effort to be more of a leader. He can be seen instructing his younger teammates, offering encouragement, going over the various assignments.

"When I was a freshman I didn't have somebody to really do that for me," he said. "As I have gotten older I realized how much of a reaction you get when you get the older guys tell something to the younger guys rather than the coaches."