Matakevich, Melifonwu among 30 players honored

NEWPORT, R.I. — Stratford’s Tyler Matakevich, a former linebacker at Temple, and UConn safety Obi Melifonwu were among the selections to the American Athletic Conference’s fifth anniversary football team.

Matakevich, who is preparing to compete for a starting linebacker spot with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, made an immediate impact at Temple following successful runs at St. Joseph High and Milford Academy.

Matakevich was second in the AAC with 138 tackles and 77 solo stops as a senior in 2015. He had a conferenceleading 137 tackles as a sophomore, which was the first year of the AAC. He finished with more than 100 tackles in each of his four seasons and had 26 games with double-digit tackles in his career with 11 coming in AAC play.

Melifonwu had 351 career tackles with eight interceptions. Six of those interceptions came in conference play as did 232 of his tackles. Melifonwu had 24 stops in his collegiate game against Tulane. Melifonwu was taken by the Oakland Raiders with the 56th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. He was limited to five games during an injury-shortened rookie season and had seven tackles.

Linebacker Yawin Smallwood and defensive back Jamar Summers were also on the ballot but did not make the squad.

Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver and Memphis kick returner Tony Pollard are the only active players among the 30 honorees.

Chris Szagola / Associated Press Former Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich was named to the AAC’s fifth anniversary team.