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Anthony Hill and Liona Lefau named to Dick Butkus Award Watchlist

by: Evan Vieth07/30/25
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Anthony Hill Jr. (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas linebacker duo Anthony Hill and Liona Lefau have been named to the Dick Butkus Award Watchlist ahead of the 2025 season, an award given to the best linebackers in the nation each year.

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In 2024, the duo combined for 127 tackles, five forced fumbles and eight sacks as a part of one of the best defenses in the nation. Hill was a semi-finalist for the award last year, naming him one of the best 15 linebackers in the country. His lack of a spot on the finalists list was controversial for Texas fans, as Hill was named a first-team All-American but not one of the four best linebackers according to Butkus Award voters.

Hill was given the nod as the nation’s top-returning linebacker, according to PFF, and is expected to be the first linebacker off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is one of the favorites to win the Butkus.

Lefau spent the first half of the season as a rotational linebacker but broke out in the second half, moving from 16 snaps a game to playing 30 or more snaps in all but one game from Week 7 onward. Lefau had a true breakout game against Texas A&M to end the regular season, recording six tackles, including four stops in the run game, and not allowing a single catch in coverage.

Lefau is vaunted for his football IQ and coverage ability and is expected to work with fellow LB Trey Moore as the Will linebacker next to Hill. While Hill and Moore are seen as pass rush savants, Lefau is expected to be a key part of the passing defense in covering tight ends, running backs and even slot receivers.

Texas has one of, if not the best, linebacker cores in the nation, and the Butkus Award voters have already taken notice. Can the Longhorns win their first Butkus since Derrick Johnson in 2004?

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The full 2025 Preseason Watchlist has yet to be released

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