Louisville football's defense has some areas of concern, but one position that fans are highly confident in is the linebacker group. While Stanquan Clark and TJ Quinn are the two stars of the room, other names like Antonio Watts and former 5-star TJ Capers are beginning to make names for themselves.
Capers was initially a 5-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and was even ranked as high as the No. 5 recruit. However, he would reclass and enter the 2024 recruiting class, and enrolled at Louisville that summer. He is now entering his third year with the Cardinals, and while injuries have highlighted his first two seasons, the former 5-star is taking massive strides in the right direction and now earning reps with the first team.
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Former 5-star TJ Capers expects a bigger role entering 2025
There were rumors this offseason that Capers was going to enter the Transfer Portal and begin a new journey, but Louisville was able to keep the former 5-star on their roster, and now linebacker coach Mark Ivey is giving him praise and making it known he has improved a lot over time.
"TJ Capers is a guy who is also going into his third year," Ivey stated after practice. "Last year was really starting to come into his own and do a nice job, and then he had a hand injury that slowed his progress down, but still got a full season under his belt. He had a great spring. So, now he is a guy, in my opinion, who has not gotten as much game experience as the other guys, but he has been in this defense and has been doing some good things for two years."
Capers expects to be a reliable defender for Jeff Brohm and his defense in 2025, as Brohm stated at ACC Media Day, he has improved a lot in his three seasons, and expects the 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker to take a leap this upcoming season. Capers has proven he can make big-time hits this offseason, as he is earning reps with the first team and is eager for a bigger role in 2025.
"I am ready to take a bigger role in the spot," Capers stated on his mindset entering 2025. "I feel comfortable in our defense, and I like how much that we learn and gel with each other. We are kind of comfortable and I kind of know what to expect from the guy next to me. I feel like we are going to give each other our all every play."
Capers made an appearance in 11 games last season and finished the season with six total tackles, including two tackles against Boston College. His best performance came against Austin Peay, where he recorded a tackle and an interception in the Cardinals' 62-0 victory.
This season is a crucial year for Capers as Quinn and Clark will most likely be both gone next season, making him emerge as their top linebacker entering 2026. Capers will see a bigger role in the season and will get more valuable minutes, and he is taking a big step this offseason to having a solid junior season.
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