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Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr named 2025 Butkus Award semifinalist

On3 imageby: Justin Wells11 hours ago
On3 image
Anthony Hill (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

For the second-consecutive year, Texas junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. has been named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, the Butkus Foundation announced Tuesday morning. The award annually recognizes the nation’s top linebacker.  

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This marks the fifth-straight year a Longhorn has been selected as a semifinalist for the award. Prior to Hill being named a semifinalist the last two years, Jaylan Ford was tabbed a semifinalist in 2023, and DeMarvion Overshown was selected in both 2021 and 2022. Derrick Johnson won the award in 2004 after being a finalist for it in 2003, while Sergio Kindle was also a finalist in 2009. 

One of 12 semifinalists, Hill has been a key playmaker in a dominant Longhorn defense this season. Texas leads the nation in total sacks (34) and ranks second in the FBS in rushing defense (78.2). The Horns also rank second in the FBS in team sacks (3.78), second in opponent yards per rush (2.4), fourth in opponent red zone scoring attempts per game (2.0), fifth in sacks per game (3.6), sixth in opponent rushing first downs per game (5.1), eighth in fourth down conversion percentage defense (0.318), ninth in opponent points per play (0.233), 11th in opponent yards per play (4.4), 11th in opponent offensive touchdowns per game (1.9), 10th in opponent offensive points per game (16.2), 12th in scoring defense (16.4), 18th in team tackles for loss (6.9), 25th in total defense (313.6) and turnovers gained (15). 

The Denton, Texas, native is a third-year player who has played in 39 career games with 31 starts. As a junior, Hill has started in each of UT’s nine games and has compiled a team-high 63 total tackles (34 solo) and three forced fumbles. He leads the SEC and ranks 12th nationally in forced fumbles and ranks ninth in the league in total tackles. He ranks second on the squad in tackles for loss (6.5), sacks (4.0), quarterback hurries (five) and interceptions (one). In last Saturday’s win over No. 9/11 Vanderbilt on Nov. 1, Hill registered four tackles (three solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Hill was named the Chuck Bednarik Player of the Week, Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against Mississippi State on Oct. 28. Hill led the Longhorns with career highs of 2.5 sacks and four pressures, and his second-highest total of 3.5 tackles for loss, to go along with a forced fumble and a double-digit tackle total of 10 in Texas’ 45-38 overtime win on the road. In another overtime victory on the road at Kentucky on Oct. 18, Hill logged 12 tackles (eight solo) and his first interception of the season. Hill had a stellar outing at Florida on Oct. 4 where he produced a career-high 14 tackles (three solo) and returned a fumble for 21 yards. In Texas’ home opener vs. San Jose State on Sept. 6, Hill recorded five tackles (four solo) and a career-high two forced fumbles. 

The Butkus Award finalists will be announced Nov. 25. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 10. The 2025 winner will be honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium on Jan. 31, 2026, featured on The Butkus Awards Big Ten Network special in February.

The Longhorns have a bye week on Nov. 8 before traveling to No. 5/5 Georgia on Nov. 15 for a 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET kick at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., with the game broadcast on ABC. 

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