2025 Texas Longhorns football preview: Anthony Hill Jr. leads veteran group of linebackers

AUSTIN (KXAN) — There's a lot of buzz about the Texas Longhorns' defense going into the 2025 season, and a big reason why is No. 0.

Anthony Hill Jr. anchors the linebacking corps following his All-American season in 2024, and he's shortlisted by many to take home all kinds of national honors. Now, he has to go out and get it done in his junior season.

2025 Texas Longhorns football preview

• Offensive Line
• Defensive Line
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: July 17
• Quarterbacks: July 24
• Defensive Backs and Special Teams: July 31

"I've been working on the details," he said during spring practices in April. "I already know I can make the big plays, but I'm trying to refine my game. Footwork, hand placement, just little stuff like that so I can take the next step."

The next step could be what propels the Longhorns past the College Football Playoff semifinals where they've been the past two seasons. Hill was named a second-team All-American by four outlets following a season with 113 tackles (59 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss with eight sacks and four forced fumbles. He's the type of player who seems to be everywhere, all of the time, and it's that kind of effort that has pundits across the nation in his corner.

Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback who is now a college football analyst for ESPN, said Hill is "a complete superstar," on his Always College Football podcast.

"He's the best linebacker in the country," McElroy said. "He should be one of the best players in America this upcoming season."

Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said Hill has been doing a nice job of leading by example throughout spring practices and into the upcoming season.

"What I've admired about him this spring was his level of consistency," Sarkisian said. "He's where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there. I've been really impressed with Anthony, now just who he is on the field, but who he is off the field and how he represents the program."

Junior Liona Lefau seized his opportunity last year, starting 10 games while appearing in all 16. He notched 63 tackles (38 solo) with five tackles for loss, three passes defended, two sacks and an interception and a forced fumble. Sarkisian said Lefau and Hill have been the vocal leaders, both being third-year players.

"Their communication goes hand-in-hand," he said. "They've both had Coach (Johnny) Nansen for the second year in a row, and they're speaking the same language, which has been helpful."

Senior Trey Moore, who has been an edge defender for most of his career with the Longhorns and at UTSA, will split time between there and linebacker. The Longhorns dipped into the transfer portal to grab Brad Spence from Arkansas, and Ty'Anthony Smith is in his second year.

Moore is the game-wrecker type who had 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season. He also recovered two fumbles.

Spence started five games and appeared in 23 across two seasons for the Razorbacks. He notched 70 tackles with 4.5 sacks, including 54 in his sophomore season. Sarkisian's approach to the transfer portal is to get guys who fill gaps in recruiting, and Spence certainly does that.

"We're getting the best version of Brad Spence right now," Sarkisian said during spring practices. "He's a guy that was a little nicked up when we got him, and he's kind of had to grow into playing at that spot and playing more football. That's been a real positive."

Smith played in 16 games as a true freshman last year with 16 tackles and an interception. He'll be a younger player that Sarkisian will rely on as they build depth at the position. Elijah Barnes, one of the top recruits in Texas out of Dallas Skyline, is a true freshman and could also provide depth.