Preseason Preview: Mount Carmel Caravan

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are just over a month away from kickoff for the 2023 season. As the season approaches, we will be previewing some of the top programs across the state. Next up is last year's 7A IHSA State Champions, the Mt. Carmel Caravan. They are poised to defend their title with some of the state's most explosive players on offense and a stout linebacking core. Let's take a deeper dive into some key starters returning for the Caravan, as well as some other prospects who are ready to step up and take on a bigger role this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148856"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Dupree is an elite running back who committed to the University of Wisconsin earlier this month. This seems like the perfect fit, as Wisconsin is known for developing some of the best backs in the country. Dupree, one of the nation's best running backs, fits the mold of many Badger backs who have come before him. Dupree boasts a lethal combination of vision, balance, speed, and power. Just watch the first clip on his highlights, you'll see all of it. He possesses a variety of moves and can break tackles with any one of them. Dupree is an absolute homerun threat, and heading into his season season, the future Badger is sure to light it up just as he has the past 2 seasons.rnrnu003cemu003eCommitted: Wisconsinu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["271810"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Startz is a 6'3, 230 lbs inside linebacker who will head off to Ohio University after this season. He plays with instincts that allow him to diagnose the run and get downhill quickly. Whether it's shocking and shedding offensive linemen or taking such a direct angle that he can't be touched, Startz has a nose for the football that you don't see too often. He is an incredibly secure tackler, as he fires his hips and hands through ball carriers and drives them backwards at the point of contact. Startz also runs extremely well, especially considering his size, and flows to the ball to make hard tackles in the open field look easy. Keep an eye out for Startz commanding the middle of the Caravan defense in his final season.rnrnu003cemu003eCommitted: Ohiou003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["131488"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The sophomore signal caller played a major role in Mount Carmel's perfect season last year. Elliot is a true dual-threat quarterback, and it's hard to tell if he's better at running or passing. The 6'0, 195 lbs playmaker can make any throw on the field. He's tough as nails, willing to stand in the pocket and deliver 40+ yard throws while under pressure. Elliott displays tremendous touch when throwing on the run, delivering the ball with a tight spiral and strong velocity on throws that few QB's can make. In the run game, Elliott possesses both speed and vision that elite running backs have. He makes the right reads, plays within the system, and can improvise when necessary. Heading into his junior year, Elliot's stock as a top quarterback in the state is soaring.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='891206' first='Darrion' last='Gilliam']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Mount Carmel","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Gilliam is a tall and long wide receiver who had a breakout junior season for the Caravan last year. The 6'5, 200 lbs Kent State commit plays on the outside and has tremendous body control. Gilliam has smooth releases off the line and has solid speed that allows him to beat defensive backs in a variety of ways. He adjusts extremely well when the ball is in the air, allowing him to use body position to out-leverage defensive backs and make toe-tap catches on the sidelines. He is a smooth route runner and a dangerous threat in the red zone because of his releases, height, and ability to make contested catches. Plain and simple, Gilliam is a playmaker who should have a monster senior year.rnrnu003cemu003eCommitted: Kent Stateu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["891212"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another MAC commit for the Caravan, Miles will be heading off to Western Michigan after his senior year. Miles is a long and fluid cornerback who impresses with his athleticism and technique. Miles stands at 6'1 and weighs 185. He possesses smooth hips, which allow him to transition in and out of breaks with urgency and low pad level. He can play a variety of techniques, including press man-to-man, bailing into a deep third, or sitting in the flats and driving the ball. Miles is a smooth backpedaler who can flip his hips and show off his impressive speed that helps him stay on top of quicker wide receivers. Heading into his senior season, Miles should be able to lock down the best wide receivers the Chicago Catholic League has to offer.rnrnu003cemu003eCommitted: Western Michiganu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["830845"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"In his sophomore year, Payne made an immediate impact for the Caravan in multiple ways in his first varsity season. Payne, measuring in at 5'9, 170 lbs, saw time at safety, slot corner, and on special teams. Payne immediately showcased his ability to play both man-to-man and zone coverage. In the slot, his fluid off-man technique allowed him to lock down speedy slot receivers and make plays on the ball. He possesses polished technique that allows him to stay on top of receivers while moving in and out of breaks. At free safety, Payne showed off his range in the middle of the field by covering sideline to sideline. He also impressed when getting downhill and making open field tackles in the run game. Not to mention, Payne made impact plays as both a kick returner and a cover guy on kick off. As Payne takes on a bigger role heading into his junior campaign, he is flying up recruiting boards.rnrnu003cemu003eOffers: Alabama Birminghamu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["299571"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Pusateri saw time on both sophomore and varsity football last season. He is an extremely athletic inside linebacker, measuring in at 5'11, 195. Pusateri runs like a defensive back but plays with the physicality and instincts of a linebacker. He is extremely quick sideline to sideline, working downhill on inside runs and flying to the perimeter on outside plays. Pusateri is stout in pass coverage, showing off his speed and smooth drops covering the curl or middle of the field. He can stick his foot in the ground and redirect with ease, while also showing off his ability to make tackles in the open field. Heading into his junior season, the duo of Pusateri and Startz should be one of the best middle linebacker cores in the state.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64bfbc80a7dd8"} /-->