Capers is a local Charlotte kid on his second round of Panther training camp. He was cut last TC during the first round of cuts. He attended Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte as well so I'm betting to make the Panthers roster would be a dream come true.
Bio
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 195 lbs
Age: 24
Born: 5/30/1992
College: Johnson C. Smith
Experience: 1st season
Career
Here's his college highlights:
Carolina Panthers: Avius Capers
College: Played in 38 games with 15 starts at Johnson C. Smith.Tallied 136 receptions for 1,554 yards with 13 touchdowns.
2014 (Sr.): Played in 10 games with seven starts. Recorded 40 catches for 449 yards and two touchdowns.
2013 (Jr.): Played in nine games. Posted 36 receptions for 363 yards and tied for first on the team with five receiving touchdowns.
2012: Redshirted
2011 (So): Played in 11 games with eight starts. Led the Golden Bulls with 39 catches for 429 yards and four touchdowns.
2010 (Fr.): Played in eight games. Caught 21 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns.
The Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls? Makes me think of the movie the 10 Commandments when Moses came back down from the mountain and the people were worshiping the golden calf. But I digress...
He's not a big WR, more of the smaller stature but I did notice he was making plays in TC the weekend I was up there. He can also return punts and kicks and has played gunner on special teams. That is probably his best bet at making the roster, provided Teddy Williams is not healed from his groin pull. Capers has played in both preseason games to date but has not logged a stat. So I would set his chances as pretty slim but not impossible, around a 5% but improving to 10 - 15% should Williams start the season injured.
On another note I found a personal story about Capers fairly interesting and thought I would share. This is from a Q&A I found with him back before the 2015 draft.
Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Avius Capers, WR, Johnson C. Smith University
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?
Capers: I would compare my style of play to Anquan Boldin because I play mad with aggression. I play much faster than him. I just play with the same aggression. I also play similar to golden Tate and Wes walker when it comes to running routes and making plays.
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
Capers: My biggest obstacle in life was losing my grandfather while playing college ball at a school I didn’t want to play. I stayed in Charlotte to be there for my grandfather but once he passed I was not happy with that not the situation I had to face for 4 years. I tried to transfer but my coach would not give me any highlights and he didn’t release me until July so my chances of playing D-1 ball was gone out the window. I overcame that obstacle by telling myself that things happen for a reason and God chose this path for me. Through every negative I found a positive.
I think I just figured out why the Panthers keep giving this kid a chance. He exudes the kind of attitude and spirit the Panthers covet in the locker room.
There's more of this recently via his Twitter account:
Everyday I prepare my mind. Wake up with a prayer then channel the mind for a major grind. I want to be the best so I will out work the rest
— Avius Capers (@AviusCapers) August 13, 2016
The day I get to express my passion and talent on the field. That will be the day Avius Capers will arrive.
— Avius Capers (@AviusCapers) August 21, 2016
I'll be pulling for him to put up some nice tape these last two preseason games which might further his NFL dreams.