4. TJ Capers
Louisville is going to lose TJ Quinn this offseason after the star linebacker led the Cardinals in tackling for three straight seasons. Quinn was a leader and a dominant defender for Louisville for many years. So, now that the Cards are losing this crucial piece, they turn to their rising star, TJ Capers.
Capers was once the Cardinals' 5-star commit before reclassifying and arriving a year earlier. The redshirt sophomore has now spent three seasons with the Cards, including 2025, where he stepped up and had a significant role after Stanquan Clark went down in Week 2. Capers entered the portal briefly last year before deciding he would stay another season with Louisville, and he took advantage of every opportunity he was given.
He logged 46 total tackles and one interception, which was the biggest play of his career so far, as it secured Louisville's win over Miami on the road. Capers is a big-time player and showed he can be a star this past year. It will be essential for Louisville to keep the former 5-star commit on the team and be one of their top defenders next season.