Texas Longhorns Counting on Anthony Hill Jr. to Anchor Elite Linebacker Corps in Crucial 2025 National Championship Pursuit
As the Texas Longhorns prepare for the 2025 college football season, their national championship hopes are as legitimate as they’ve been since 2005. With a loaded roster, a confident coaching staff, and a strong SEC debut behind them, the Longhorns have the pieces in place to compete for the biggest prize in college football. But while much of the spotlight rests on quarterback Arch Manning and the offensive arsenal around him, it’s the defense—and specifically the linebacker corps—where Texas may truly separate itself. At the heart of that unit is sophomore sensation Anthony Hill Jr., who enters the season as the emotional and physical leader of one of the most experienced linebacker groups in the country.
Hill’s arrival at Texas in 2023 brought with it immense excitement. As a five-star recruit out of Denton Ryan High School, Hill was widely considered the best linebacker in the country, and his decision to stay in-state was seen as a massive win for head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. Now, heading into just his second full season as a starter, Hill has emerged as not only a future first-round NFL Draft pick, but as a foundational player in the Longhorns’ defensive identity.
Built like a prototypical modern linebacker, Hill combines sideline-to-sideline speed with a powerful, compact frame and a high football IQ. He can blitz, cover, hit, and lead. He’s the kind of versatile defender that Kwiatkowski has molded the defense around—someone who never needs to come off the field, regardless of the offensive scheme he’s facing. Whether it’s tracking a running back in the flat, shadowing a tight end down the seam, or closing on a scrambling quarterback, Hill thrives in every phase of the game.
What makes Hill’s role even more vital in 2025 is the veteran presence around him. He’s not being asked to do everything alone. Texas returns a strong group of linebackers, including Jaylan Ford—one of the most reliable and respected players on the roster. Ford, now in his final year, brings leadership and consistency, while Hill adds explosion and star power. Together, they form one of the most dynamic linebacker tandems in the SEC, if not the entire country.
Then there’s David Gbenda, the seasoned veteran who offers depth, versatility, and experience in a rotation that should keep everyone fresh throughout the demanding SEC schedule. Gbenda’s ability to play multiple linebacker spots gives Kwiatkowski the flexibility to mix looks and keep offenses off balance. It also gives Hill more freedom to attack and disrupt, knowing he’s backed by teammates who understand their responsibilities.
Another name to watch is Derion Gullette, the rangy redshirt freshman who has impressed throughout spring camp and fall practices. Gullette may not start right away, but his upside is enormous, and he’s already flashing the kind of instincts that suggest he’ll be a key contributor in 2025 and beyond. His growth only adds to the confidence Texas has in this linebacker unit.
One of the most impressive aspects of Hill’s development has been how quickly he has adapted to the college game. Most young linebackers struggle with the mental aspect—play recognition, reaction time, diagnosing pre-snap alignments. But Hill seems to process the game at an advanced level. He rarely looks lost, he communicates well with the defensive line and secondary, and he’s become a student of the film room. Coaches have repeatedly praised his preparation and attention to detail—traits that separate good players from great ones.
Physically, Hill has also taken a leap from his freshman to sophomore season. He’s bulked up slightly without losing speed, allowing him to take on bigger blockers while still flying around the field. His work in the weight room and commitment to nutrition and recovery have made him one of the most physically imposing players on the Texas defense. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Hill looks like an NFL linebacker already—and plays like one too.
The scheme plays to his strengths. Kwiatkowski’s 4-2-5 defense is predicated on linebacker versatility, with responsibilities that shift based on offensive alignments. It requires intelligence and adaptability, two things Hill has in abundance. Whether Texas is in a base look or moving into sub-packages, Hill’s presence gives the staff confidence that the second level will be secure. It also opens up the ability to disguise pressure, show exotic blitz packages, and allow Hill to become the chaos agent he’s built to be.
Texas’ defensive line, which includes players like Alfred Collins and Byron Murphy, should command plenty of attention from opposing offensive lines. That frees up Hill to shoot gaps and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Expect to see him pile up tackles for loss, quarterback hurries, and sacks as the season unfolds. If he stays healthy, double-digit TFLs and All-SEC honors are well within reach.
While Hill’s on-field impact is easy to see, his off-field leadership is just as important. Despite being one of the younger players in the linebacker room, he’s embraced the role of a motivator and tone-setter. His energy is infectious, his work ethic admired, and his competitiveness respected by coaches and teammates alike. During summer workouts and player-led practices, Hill has been one of the most vocal and locked-in presences, a sign of how seriously he takes his role as a leader.
As Texas enters what could be a program-defining season, the linebacker group will be critical to its success. The SEC’s top teams are built to run the ball and control the clock, and if the Longhorns want to contend, they’ll need linebackers who can shut down those rushing attacks, rally to the ball, and make open-field tackles. Hill and Ford, backed by depth and talent, are uniquely qualified for that task.
There’s also the matter of momentum. Texas is no longer “back”—they’re here. After a strong 2024 campaign and a top-5 finish in most preseason polls, the Longhorns are no longer playing the underdog. They are the hunted, not the hunters. That pressure can expose weaknesses—but it can also bring out greatness in the right players. For Hill, the spotlight is a proving ground, not a burden. He’s embracing the expectations.
NFL scouts are already watching. Hill has the measurables and the film that make him a projected first-round pick in either 2026 or 2027, depending on when he declares. But he’s not playing like someone looking ahead. He’s focused on building something lasting at Texas—helping the Longhorns win now and reestablishing the program as a perennial power in the nation’s toughest conference.
Of course, challenges await. The SEC schedule is unforgiving. Matchups against Alabama, LSU, and Georgia will test every phase of the defense. But if the Longhorns are to reach the College Football Playoff, they’ll need to win those games not just with offense, but with toughness—and that starts at linebacker. That starts with Hill.
And make no mistake: Anthony Hill Jr. is ready. Ready to dominate, ready to lead, and ready to deliver on the hype that’s followed him since high school. He’s not just playing for accolades—he’s playing to bring a championship back to Austin. The pieces are in place, the team is hungry, and the defense has an identity.
It’s physical. It’s fast. It’s led by a linebacker corps that may be the best Texas has had in over a decade.
And at the center of it all is No. 0—Anthony Hill Jr.—the player who could very well be the most important piece in Texas’ title chase.
