3. TJ Capers | LB
The game-sealing interception from TJ Capers in the Miami Hurricanes' win will be etched into the minds of Louisville fans for years to come. With TJ Quinn and Kalib Perry exhausting their eligibility, the linebacking corps looks to bring back their strong trio of Stanquan Clark, Antonio Watts, and Capers to anchor the defense. Louisville recently added former 4-star commit Benjamin Perry, making this linebacker room loaded with experience and talent if Capers stays. Capers excelled in his role after the injury to Clark, posting 23 solo tackles and one interception from the Miami win.
Keeping Capers to help lead the defense after his opportunity to stick his foot in the water this season would be huge for the Cardinal defense, the absolute strength of this past year’s team. With the secondary once again anticipated to have question marks next season, as well as the interior defensive line after leaders such as Rene Konga move on to the NFL, the need for a strong linebacker corps is more present than ever.