20-16: Louisville football countdown, top-20 players of 2025
Editor’s note: With less than two weeks until week one, Cardinal Sports will count down the top 20 most impactful players of the 2025 Louisville football season.
Rankings for Louisville football’s top-20 players will be based on previous achievements/stats, position importance, team needs, and season projections.
We will begin with players ranked 20-16
20.) T.J. Capers, LB
6-2, 225 lbs, RS-Soph.
After a slow start to one of the highest-rated Louisville football recruits’ college careers, Capers will play this season. He’s battled injuries and had to climb the depth chart, and while he won’t be starting at linebacker ahead of Stanquan Clark, Antonio Watts, and T.J. Quinn, the staff has several defensive packages put together involving the athletic backer. Capers totaled just six tackles last season and an interception, but he’s due for a bigger role this season, and the Cards will need him to be a key contributor. It’s time that high school ranking shows at the next level. The intangibles are there.
19.) AJ Green, DE
6-6, 250 lbs, RS-Soph.
Similar to Capers, Green, better known as “sticks,” is another formerly highly-rated recruit who is due for a larger role this season. In camp, Green has been right there as a pass rusher with guys like Wesley Bailey and Clev Lubin. His weight has been and will be something to monitor as d-line coach Mark Hagen said he needs to stay at or above 250 to get reps. He’s been on the first-team defense at times, but the expectation is that he’ll play in spurts and certain defensive packages. His long arms and bend around the edge make him a difficult cover, but he’s gotta use his strength to his advantage.
18.) Jaleel Skinner, TE
6-5, 230 lbs, Junior
Skinner has been one of the nice surprises in the passing game this summer. He won’t see all of the snaps at tight end, as Nate Kurisky is still the best fundamental and blocking tight end on the roster. But expect Skinner to be active as a pass catcher. The Greer, South Carolina, native caught just one pass last season and saw most of his playing time on special teams. But, in all, he’s made strides in his consistency and the “little things” within the position.
17.) JoJo Evans, FS
6-1, 200 lbs, RS-Sr.
Evans is one of the most underrated yet experienced players on the Louisville defense this fall. After transferring from FIU, the safety is one of the best tacklers at his position in the country. He finished eight in C-USA in tackles with 93 last season. His aggressiveness and play on the ball are things defensive coordinator Ron English and staff have been working with him on, but he’s made strides in the effort department and is due to make a difference as a leader on the back end.
16.) TreyShun Hurry, WR
6-2, 195 lbs, Junior
Hurry, the San Jose State transfer, has begun to establish himself as one of Miller Moss’ favorite targets and as a candidate for the starting wide receiver three spot. He started at the FCS level but transferred last season, where he immediately made an impact with SJSU. He ended the season with 28 receptions and 481 yards, adding two scores. The late bloomer is improving every day and is primed to be a contributor this fall. His volume of catches may not be that high, but when he gets it, look out.
