Western Carolina University

PRONUNCIATION: puh-TURN-oh

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU after spending the 2025 season at Eastern Michigan and three seasons at Elon; At EMU: Played in nine games with three starts, recording 42 total tackles, including 13 solo stops and 1.5 for loss ... Recorded a quarterback hurry against LIU on Sept. 6; At Elon: Played in 22 career games for the Phoenix, finishing with 109 tackles, including seven for loss with a sack, and three fumble recoveries ... Played in three games in 2022, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Earned Freshman All-America honors from FCS Stats Perform, FCS Football Central, and Phil Steele in 2023 ... Named on the Jerry Rice Award Watch List at midseason, given to the nation's top freshman ... Played in 11 games with nine starts, recording 68 tackles, including 36 solo stops and five tackles for loss with 0.5 sack ... Added two fumble recoveries, a QBH and PBU, and scored a defensive touchdown on a 23-yard fumble recovery returned for a TD against Hampton ... In 2024 for Elon, started eight games with 39 tackles, including two for loss ... Had nine tackles against Richmond and posted eight stops against Western Carolina ... Was listed among FloFootball's Top 10 Defensive Players in the CAA.

Personal: Full name is Marco Joseph Patierno ... Is the son of Alycia and Vito Patierno ... Majored in Sport Management.