Heading into the 2024 season, there were a lot of question marks surrounding the depth at the linebacker position for the University of Louisville football team.

Coming off a 10-4 season, there is a lot of optimism, but there were doubts about how this unit could take the team to the next level.

The Cards lost some talent at the position in the spring, creating some doubts about the overall depth at the linebacker position. Louisville lost its fourth leading tackler in linebacker Jaylin Alderman and other key pieces graduated or also hit the portal.

After three days of fall camp, the Cardinals have seen some promise in the group, especially from Stanquan Clark and Jurriente Davis, who look to add stability to a defense that ranked among one of the best against the run last season.

"It's been great to get back to work," linebackers coach Mark Ivey said. "It's great to get so many reps out there on film. We have some talented guys and we've been able to see how they are progressing."

Clark is one player who will have the light shined on him this fall as he replaces Alderman, who transferred out in the spring. One of the only freshmen to see time in all 14 games, Clark will take on a larger role in the defense, and be counted on to fill a hole left by Alderman's departure.

"Stanquan has grown a lot as well," Ivey said. "We're all still trying to grow and improve. He's done a good job. To come in and play 10-15 snaps last year, he played at a high level for us last season. He has things to still learn, but he's progressing well."

The Cards also added a significant piece in Jurriente Davis, who played one season at Texas A&M before hitting the transfer portal.

"I actually recruited him out of high school," Ivey said. "He's had a tremendous commitment to work ethic. He takes care of his business. He's on point with all his questions. He learning to play with leverage and he's a high motor guy. He's been a great addition."

Ivey also singled out five-star linebacker T.J. Capers, who re-classified and enrolled early last season. He missed the entire year with an injury, but is healthy and trying to contribute on defense.

"We have to be able to look at the whole spectrum," Ivey said. "He's an early enrolling freshman," Ivey stated of Capers. "He's asked me what he needs to do to take the next step. He's taken the information we've given him to make changes, and he's tried to make himself a better football player. He was just a high school senior last year when he came to us, but he's ahead of where he was last season. He's light years ahead of where he was last year."