Texas Longhorns Expect Breakout Season From Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. as He Emerges as Defensive Cornerstone in 2025 Campaign
The Texas Longhorns are no strangers to elite linebacker talent, but few defenders in recent memory have generated the kind of excitement surrounding Anthony Hill Jr. A former five-star recruit and one of the most physically gifted linebackers in the country, Hill showed flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons in Austin. Now, heading into the 2025 season, the Longhorns are counting on him to take the next step—transforming from a young standout into a dominant, every-down force capable of leading a championship-caliber defense.
That next step is more than just about numbers. For Hill, it’s about becoming the heartbeat of a Texas defense loaded with talent and high expectations. With the Longhorns transitioning fully into SEC play and carrying College Football Playoff aspirations, the pressure is on—not just for the team as a whole, but for individual stars like Hill to elevate their game and carry more responsibility on and off the field.
Hill’s physical tools have never been in question. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he moves like a safety and hits like a defensive end. His ability to chase down running backs, close on quarterbacks, and disrupt passing lanes makes him a rare breed in today’s game—a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can do it all. During the 2024 season, Hill showcased those abilities in spurts, finishing the year with several impact plays that hinted at his immense potential. But while he was already productive, the coaching staff and analysts alike believe that 2025 could be the year he fully harnesses those gifts and becomes one of the most feared defenders in college football.
Much of that belief stems from the strides Hill has made in the offseason. Strength and conditioning reports out of the Texas program have been glowing. Hill has added muscle without sacrificing speed, improved his flexibility and agility, and committed himself fully to mastering the nuances of his position. Coaches have praised his focus, his attention to detail, and—most importantly—his increasing leadership presence. What once was a young player trying to find his voice has become a confident, vocal presence in the locker room and on the practice field.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian hasn’t been shy about what he expects from Hill this season. In press conferences and interviews, Sarkisian has referred to Hill as “the centerpiece” of the defense and “one of the most dynamic defenders in the country.” Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has echoed those sentiments, emphasizing Hill’s versatility and football IQ as central to the defensive scheme. The Longhorns are designing more packages to highlight Hill’s abilities, including using him as a pass rusher off the edge, a spy on mobile quarterbacks, and a coverage asset against tight ends and running backs. In short, Hill will be everywhere.
What makes Hill such a special player is that he doesn’t just rely on athleticism. While his speed and explosiveness are elite, he’s grown into a more instinctive and disciplined linebacker. Film study, once a weakness, has become a strength. He’s learning to anticipate rather than react, recognizing offensive formations, reading blocking schemes, and understanding route concepts. That mental growth, combined with his raw talent, is what has the coaching staff so excited.
Teammates have noticed the difference as well. Veterans across the defense have talked about Hill’s improved communication, his ability to call out plays before they happen, and his willingness to take younger players under his wing. That kind of maturity is a sign that Hill is ready to be more than just a playmaker—he’s ready to be a leader.
And the timing couldn’t be better. With Texas returning a strong core on defense, including linebacker Jaylan Ford and defensive linemen like Ethan Burke and Alfred Collins, the Longhorns have the foundation to be one of the top defensive units in the country. But to go from good to great, they need a superstar—someone who can change games with a single play, someone who strikes fear into opposing offenses. Hill has the tools to be that player.
The schedule ahead won’t be easy. Texas faces an unforgiving SEC slate, including showdowns with Alabama, LSU, and Georgia. Each of those matchups will test the Longhorns in different ways, from physical running games to high-octane passing attacks. For Hill, these games represent both a challenge and an opportunity. Perform well on those stages, and he’ll not only boost Texas’ playoff hopes but also cement himself as a national name and a likely first-round NFL Draft pick.
NFL scouts are already buzzing about Hill. His frame, speed, and tape make him one of the most intriguing linebacker prospects in the country. What they want to see now is consistency. Can he be dominant week in and week out? Can he become the leader of a top-five defense? If the answer is yes, Hill could rise rapidly up draft boards and follow in the footsteps of recent Texas defenders who’ve made the leap to the professional level.
Still, Hill’s focus isn’t on the NFL—at least not yet. Those around the program say he’s locked in on the 2025 season and on helping Texas take that elusive next step as a program. For years, the Longhorns have been on the cusp of national contention, showing flashes of greatness without quite putting it all together. With Hill emerging as a leader, the defense now has an anchor around which everything can revolve.
And that matters. In college football, championship teams are built on more than just talent—they need leadership, resilience, and tone-setting players who refuse to let the standard drop. That’s what Texas believes Hill can become. Not just a great player, but a foundational piece of the program’s culture. Someone future recruits will want to emulate. Someone who defines the identity of the team.
If early signs are any indication, Hill is embracing that role. Spring practices were filled with highlight-reel moments from the junior linebacker—strip sacks, interceptions, and thunderous tackles that energized the team. Coaches say he’s been the most consistent performer in the weight room and one of the loudest voices in team meetings. It’s a level of maturity and purpose that was missing in his first year and only beginning to emerge in his second.
There’s also a hunger driving Hill that comes from unfinished business. The Longhorns fell just short of the College Football Playoff title game last season, losing a close semifinal battle that still stings. Players like Hill, who experienced the pain of coming so close, have used that loss as fuel. There’s a sense of urgency in the locker room now, a belief that the time is now—and Hill is at the center of it.
The road to a championship is never easy, and there will be moments this season where the Longhorns are tested. But with Hill on the field, they know they have a game-changer—someone who can shut down a drive, make a critical stop on third down, or swing momentum with a splash play. His ability to impact every facet of the game makes him invaluable, and his growth into a complete player is happening right on schedule.
As the 2025 season approaches, the spotlight will be bright on Anthony Hill Jr. The expectations are enormous, the pressure is real, and the stakes have never been higher. But those inside the program believe he’s not only ready for it—he’s built for it. His talent, work ethic, and leadership make him the kind of player who thrives in the biggest moments.
Texas hasn’t had a linebacker with this kind of ceiling in years. Hill has the chance to leave a legacy—not just as one of the best players in the country, but as the face of a defensive resurgence that could finally return the Longhorns to college football’s elite tier. And if he takes that next step, as his coaches and teammates expect, the rest of the nation won’t be far behind in taking notice.
