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.

5’11, 195 lb. Mount Carmel LB Tristan Pusateri Tristan Pusateri 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Mt. Carmel | 2025 State IL made some solid waves in the CCL last fall as an underclassman and switched between varsity and sophomore for the Caravan. Pusateri has already been hitting the camo/unofficial visiting circuit hard going into his junior year and has checked out and camped with Indiana State, Purdue, and Valpo this spring. He’s also a strong kid who posted a 325 x 3 front squat in January, as well as a 385 x 6 back squat last year, as well as a 225 x bench press as a freshman. The sophomore highlights show off a ‘backer who can impact the run game, pass game, and special teams and is always around the football no matter the role. Pusateri does a good job of dropping into passing lanes around the hook/curl and flats, pursuing out to the sideline to cut off RBs, and shedding blocks. As mentioned, he’s always around the football, a good trait to have as a LB.

Tristan Pusateri Tristan Pusateri 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Mt. Carmel | 2025 State IL is another Mount Carmel athlete who has caught my eye in the class of 2025. With his sophomore year showcasing big plays on both special teams and defense, Tristan is a linebacker that you won’t want to miss out on heading into the 2023 football season. On the defensive side of the ball, Tristan plays well in coverage and does a good job of tracking with the quarterback while sitting in his drop. Another part of Tristan’s pass drop that impresses me is that he has phenomenal anticipation for where the ball is going. If the ball is remotely close to coming his way, he has the ball skills to tip the pass and force an incompletion. Tristan is a physical tackler who has no problem laying the wood on any ball carrier coming his way. Overall, Tristan is a linebacker with a very high upside. Look for Pusateri to have a breakout season in 2023 as a member of a dominant Caravan defense.