Louisville Football Position Preview: Linebackers

Louisville’s defense will have many new faces this season, but that won’t be the case with the linebackers. No group on the team returns as much continuity as this group, and it will be the biggest factor in the defense’s overall performance. While the continuity is great, this group was also a liability in the passing game. If they can improve on their deficiencies from last season, this group could be one of the best in the conference.

The top player in the group this season is Stanquan Clark, who is coming off a very strong sophomore season. Clark had 76 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles last year as a first-time starter. If Clark hadn’t missed time due to injuries, those numbers would not only be better, but so would Louisville’s record. UofL went without Clark for the second half of the Stanford game, and the defense was picked apart on their way to a loss. As a true NFL prospect, Clark’s importance to this defense can’t be overstated.

TJ Quinn also returns this year to man the middle of the field and call the defense. Quinn has led the defense in tackles in both of the last two seasons, and I wouldn’t expect that to change this year. Every defense needs someone who is consistent in the middle, and Quinn is just that. You know what you’re going to get from him, and he can always be relied on to be good in between the hashes, and he will get downhill in the run game. What UofL needs from Quinn this year, however, is to be more of a playmaker and an asset in the pass game. Teams can target him when he’s out there and kill the defensive plan.

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Depth should be much better this season with TJ Capers and Khalib Perry backing up the starters in the middle. Capers is in his third year, and now that he is fully healthy, I’m expecting him to be a key rotational piece. Perry transferred in from Tennessee after being a key reserve for them. His versatility is exciting to me as he can rush off the edge and should be able to be an option in the nickel package. If I were a betting man, I’d bet that Capers will get a shot to replace Quinn in obvious passing situations.

The player with the most upside in this group might just be Antonio Watts, and he will enter this year as the full-time starter for the first time. Watts and Clark are the only returning players on defense who made many havoc plays last year. Watts had 6.5 tackles for loss, but the Cards will need more from him this season. Watts will likely be on the field much more than he was last season, and they will need him to make plays in the passing game. I would also love to see Watts slide inside as a replacement for Quinn in passing situations.

Louisville didn’t have a backup for Watts until fall camp started, and it looks like Nigel Williams will be the top candidate for the position. Williams transferred in recently after spending time at New Mexico State as a safety, playing mostly in the box or in the slot. He should be able to handle the hybrid linebacker/safety role in the Cards’ defense as well.

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I like Louisville’s depth even though it’s pretty young and inexperienced. Trent Carter should be in the rotation this year after a strong spring period when Clark was out injured. Caleb Mattelieu has looked very good for a freshman since arriving on campus, but I don’t know that we will see him much this year outside of special teams, possibly. That gives the Cards a three-deep on the inside but no real option outside of Williams behind Watts.

BREAKOUT CANDIDATE

I foresee Stanquan Clark becoming an all-conference pick this year as long as he is fully healthy. Clark missed spring practice and appeared to be on a pitch count early on this fall. This is his third year in the defense and we should really see him take a big step forward this season. Louisville will likely be blitzing more often without Ashton Gillotte to provide constant pressure. That should allow Clark to get more sacks, pressures, and potentially more opportunities in coverage.