Texas Longhorns Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. Ranked No. 20 on 2025 Preseason Top 50 List, Poised for National Breakout Season
As the 2025 college football season draws near, the buzz surrounding standout linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. has reached new heights, and for good reason. The Texas Longhorns star has earned the No. 20 spot on our prestigious preseason Top 50 list, a ranking that reflects both his past production and massive potential heading into what could be a breakout season on the national stage. For Hill, this recognition is not just a personal accolade—it’s a testament to his relentless work ethic, natural talent, and increasingly critical role within a Longhorns defense that is looking to make waves in the SEC.
Entering his junior season, Hill has already shown flashes of brilliance that have scouts, analysts, and coaches believing he’s on the cusp of greatness. In 2024, he played in every game, delivering big hits, chasing down quarterbacks, and consistently putting himself around the football. Now, in 2025, Hill is no longer viewed as just a promising young player—he’s expected to be a defensive cornerstone for Texas, a leader both on and off the field, and one of the most dynamic linebackers in college football.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing around 235 pounds, Hill possesses the ideal size for a modern linebacker. But it’s his explosiveness, lateral quickness, and instincts that separate him from the rest. Whether he’s playing downhill against the run, dropping into coverage, or blitzing off the edge, Hill does it all with aggression and intelligence. His motor is relentless, his closing speed is elite, and he has a knack for making timely plays that shift momentum.
Hill’s journey to the top of preseason rankings began long before he arrived in Austin. A former five-star recruit from Denton Ryan High School, he was the crown jewel of Texas’ 2023 recruiting class and turned heads as soon as he stepped onto campus. Coaches immediately noticed his maturity and football IQ, rare traits for a true freshman. That fall, Hill contributed right away, finishing his first season with 62 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks—all while splitting time with more experienced veterans.
What made Hill’s freshman campaign so remarkable wasn’t just the numbers, but how they came. He routinely made big plays in crucial situations—third-down stops, goal-line tackles, and game-sealing pressures. He showed he could perform under pressure and thrive in the chaos of SEC football. That first year laid the groundwork for what’s now an increasingly dominant presence at the heart of the Longhorns’ defense.
In his sophomore season, Hill took another step forward. Playing in all 13 games, he notched 85 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks. He also forced two fumbles and recorded an interception—proof of his growing versatility and instincts. With each game, his understanding of defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s system deepened. He started to anticipate rather than just react. He became more vocal, more confident, and more disruptive.
Now, heading into 2025, Hill is not just a leader in the film room and locker room—he’s a potential All-American candidate and one of the most feared defenders in the SEC. Coaches have marveled at his transformation from raw talent to polished playmaker. He’s more technically sound, more physically dominant, and more prepared than ever to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. And with Texas looking to contend for a College Football Playoff spot, Hill’s role is more important than ever.
Hill’s presence on this year’s preseason Top 50 list reflects not only his past performance but the expectations for what’s to come. He’s ranked alongside some of the best players in the nation—quarterbacks, edge rushers, wide receivers, and offensive linemen from powerhouse programs. Being listed at No. 20 puts him in elite company and signals that analysts across the country view him as a game-changer.
What makes Hill such a unique weapon is his ability to play multiple roles within the defensive scheme. He can line up inside as a traditional linebacker or slide outside as a pass rusher. He can cover tight ends in man coverage, track running backs in space, or blitz off the edge with a quick first step that often catches offensive linemen flat-footed. He’s a chess piece for Texas—a player who can erase mismatches and dictate how opponents scheme their offense.
Beyond the field, Hill’s growth as a leader has been equally important. He’s taken younger players under his wing, led offseason workouts, and become a vocal presence in team meetings. Coaches describe him as “the heartbeat of the defense,” someone who leads by example and demands excellence from those around him. That maturity has been instrumental in shaping the Longhorns’ defensive identity.
Hill has also embraced the challenge of playing in the SEC, where every week presents a new test. He’s faced off against some of the best backs, quarterbacks, and offensive lines in the country and consistently risen to the occasion. In 2024, he had standout performances against Alabama, LSU, and Georgia—games where he was not only present but dominant. Those matchups helped solidify his reputation and built the foundation for his lofty 2025 ranking.
With the NFL on the horizon, scouts have been keeping a close eye on Hill’s development. His size, athleticism, and versatility make him an ideal prospect for today’s professional defenses. Some see him as a day-one NFL starter. Others believe he could rise into first-round draft territory with another strong season. But for Hill, the focus remains on Texas, on winning, and on helping his team achieve the goals they’ve been building toward for the past three seasons.
That mindset is another reason why Hill is so respected. Despite the attention, the accolades, and the projections, he remains grounded. He speaks often about team goals, about improving every day, and about the responsibility he feels wearing the burnt orange and white. His humility, paired with his ferocious playing style, makes him a fan favorite and a coach’s dream.
As Texas prepares for its daunting 2025 schedule, the defense will be under the microscope. With a new-look offense likely led by Arch Manning, there may be moments early in the season where the defense is asked to carry the load. That’s where Hill’s impact could be most deeply felt. His ability to create turnovers, deliver game-changing plays, and anchor the middle of the field will be crucial as the Longhorns navigate the rigors of SEC competition.
Whether it’s a must-win conference matchup or a nationally televised showdown, Hill is expected to be the steady force that keeps the defense locked in. His presence alone changes the dynamic of the game, forcing offenses to account for him on every snap. And with improved depth around him—including rising stars in the secondary and a deeper defensive line—Hill may have even more freedom to make plays than ever before.
In many ways, Hill’s No. 20 ranking is a culmination of years of work—but it’s also just the beginning. The expectations are enormous, but Hill seems uniquely equipped to meet them. With the spotlight growing brighter and the pressure mounting, he remains composed, hungry, and ready to prove that he belongs among the very best in college football.
So when the 2025 season kicks off and the lights shine brightest, don’t be surprised if Anthony Hill Jr. emerges as the face of Texas’ defense—and perhaps one of the defining players of the college football season. His ranking is high, but his ceiling might be even higher.
