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Derrick Johnson says his own record isn’t safe from Anthony Hill Jr

by: RT Young5 hours ago
ut_vs_san_jose_state-7108_hill
Anthony Hill (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

One of the untouchable records at Texas is Derrick Johnson’s nine forced fumbles in the 2004 season. At the time, it also stood as an NCAA single-season record. The volume of turnovers forced is hard to fathom. To most, the record feels unbreakable. But not to the man who set it.

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On a recent episode of 3rd and Longhorn, the great “DJ” predicted linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. would break his own legendary mark. 

Even after Hill forced two fumbles against San Jose State on Saturday, that’s still quite the prediction and even higher praise.

Johnson returned to Austin for his senior year knowing he needed to add another element to his game. That offseason he developed his trademark “punch”—wrapping up with one arm while delivering an uppercut with the other to jar the ball loose. Any fan who saw #11 play can picture it instantly. The punch against Jason White in Red River is etched in memory, but there are countless others from that year. It remains one of the most signature moves any Longhorn has ever owned.

When Hill knocked the ball free twice against the Spartans, it was clear he’d spent the summer honing his own ability to force turnovers—both on his own and under Johnson’s tutelage. Hill has even put his own spin on the DJ uppercut. The Super Ant Punch, anyone?

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The San Jose State ball carrier might call it the Hill KO, since his jaw is probably still sore. But if DJ’s word is good for anything (and it always is), the Spartans won’t be Hill’s last victim. There will be more. Maybe even a record-breaking number.

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