Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
Nationality: USA
Birthdate: 02/13/03
Last Club: Yale University
LAST SEASON
Joining Hartford Athletic for his rookie season, TJ Presthus instantly made waves in the USL Championship. The New Albany, OH native made 26 appearances, with 24 starts, and finished the season ranked third on the team for minutes with 2,196. Stepping into his role as an outside defender in a three-man back, Presthus finished in the top four on the team for clearances (143), blocks (11), interceptions (23) and aerial duels won (61/110). The 22-year-old also won 14 of 25 tackles and 107 of 190 duels, while adding one goal to his stat sheet. Over Hartford’s title run in the Jägermeister Cup, Presthus contributed six blocks, 25 clearances and five interceptions, in addition to a crucial opening goal against regional rival Rhode Island FC in the group stage. His standout defensive performances earned Presthus the club’s Newcomer of the Year Award.
USL EXPERIENCE
The 2025 season marked Presthus’ professional debut.
OUTSIDE THE USL
Presthus served as team captain for the Yale Bulldogs in 2024, earning First Team All-Ivy League honors and being recognized on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team. Presthus started all 16 games that season, contributing four goals and successfully converting both of his penalty kick attempts. His defensive prowess was highlighted when he was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week on September 30, 2024.
Throughout his time at Yale, Presthus was a consistent and reliable figure, being the only player to start all 70 games over his four-year career. His contributions were instrumental in the Bulldogs’ victory in the inaugural Ivy League Tournament and their advancement in the NCAA Tournament, both in 2023. Off the field, as an economics major with a 3.58 GPA, he was named a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American in 2024.
Before his collegiate success, Presthus honed his skills with the Columbus Crew SC Academy. Notably, he captained the U15 team to a first-place finish in the Mid-America U.S. Soccer Development Academy division in 2017. He was the only Crew player to play every minute of every game during the U17 Generation Adidas Cup, leading the team to the semifinals in 2019. His performance the following year, primarily playing up with the U19 squad, earned him the Crew SC Academy Player of the Year award in 2020.
HONORS & AWARDS
- Hartford Athletic Fans’ Choice Newcomer of the Year (2025)
- Hartford Athletic Fans’ Choice Goal of the Year (2025)
- USL TOTW, Week 19 (2025)
- All-Ivy League First Team (2024)
- United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team (2024)
- United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American (2024)
- Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week (2024)
- Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year (2023)
- All-Ivy League First Team (2023)
- United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team (2023)
- Ivy League All-Tournament Team (2023)
- All-Ivy League Second Team (2022)
- United Soccer Coach All-Region Third Team (2022)
