Stacy Thomas has waited for this opportunity – to be the leader of the defense. LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville senior linebackerhas waited for this opportunity – to be the leader of the defense.



After redshirting in his first year and playing special teams in his first year, Thomas worked hard and waited for the call, which finally came last season. He showed a glimpse of what to expect in the final game of 2015, a win over Texas A&M in the Music City Bowl, in which senior linebacker James Burgess was ejected on the first play of the game.



Summoned from the bench, Thomas led the Cardinals with a career-high 11 tackles in a 27-21 win over the powerful Aggies from the Southeastern Conference.



"It was hard coming in for Burgess, because it was his last game," Thomas said after the bowl win. "I felt bad for him, but I took advantage of my opportunity and helped our team win the game."



In his first year as a starter in 2016, Thomas played alongside all-ACC linebacker Keith Kelsey , who led the Cardinals in tackles the last two seasons. In his first year as a starter in 2016, Thomas played alongside all-ACC linebacker, who led the Cardinals in tackles the last two seasons.



Thomas, a Miami, Fla., native, started 11 games last season and responded with his best season, posting a career-best 85 tackles. He closed the year with 10 tackles in a loss to Kentucky and 11 in the bowl game loss to LSU.



"I finished the year pretty strong," Thomas said. "I thought I was playing well to close the year, but we know we have to finish. We didn't end the season the way we hoped, which has made us more focused this spring."



With the graduation of a good portion of the defense, Thomas understands being a senior that the younger players will look to him for leadership, which is a role he eagerly looks to accept.



"I just want to be a leader," Thomas said after Wednesday's practice. "Being the middle linebacker, I'm the quarterback of the defense, and I not only need to learn my position, but everyone else's too."



Thomas, who is quiet by nature, must step out of his comfort zone to be a little more vocal, especially with so many new faces.



"I've had a few coaches and teammates tell me that I need to step up and lead by example," Thomas said. "We lost a lot of productivity so I'm expected to lead. I know I have to lead by example and pave the way for the other players on defense."



In his final season, Thomas and his counterparts are being spoon fed a new defense under the direction of Peter Sirmon , who takes over as the defensive coordinator after a year of leading Mississippi State. In his final season, Thomas and his counterparts are being spoon fed a new defense under the direction of, who takes over as the defensive coordinator after a year of leading Mississippi State.



Not only is Sirmon new, Thomas will have a new position coach in Cort Dennison , who is taking over as the inside linebackers coach. Not only is Sirmon new, Thomas will have a new position coach in, who is taking over as the inside linebackers coach.



"He's the quarterback of the defense," Dennison said. "He's the guy out of my group that has made a lot of plays and guys look at him. He has the experience. Whenever you are making plays, people look up to you."





With the loss of a few key components, Thomas likes the young players who are looking to play larger roles in 2017.



" Malik Staples and Amonte Caban have stepped in and done well this spring," Thomas said. " Isaac Stewart has also had a good spring. It's been fun to watch these guys, and I know they will get better as spring goes along." andhave stepped in and done well this spring," Thomas said. "has also had a good spring. It's been fun to watch these guys, and I know they will get better as spring goes along."



As the spring reaches the halfway point, Thomas has definitely emerged as a leader of the defense that must replace a number of starters. If he can expand on his career-season from a year ago, the Cardinals could finish in the top 20 on defense for the fourth year in a row.