Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. named Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist

Texas Football junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was named a semifinalist for the 31st Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday. The Bednarik Award has been given to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995.

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Hill is one of 20 semifinalists up for the award. Other semifinalists include Arkansas’ Quincy Rhodes Jr., Auburn’s Xavier Atkins, Buffalo’s Red Murdock, Georgia’s CJ Allen, Indiana’s Aiden Fisher, LSU’s Mansoor Delane, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., Navy’s Landon Robinson, Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas, Texas A&M Cashius Howell, Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Utah’s John Henry Daley.

Hill has now been tabbed a semifinalist for the award in back-to-back seasons after he and former Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron were selected as semifinalists in 2024. The Denton, Texas, product was also chosen as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award on Nov. 4, which is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Hill was previously named the Chuck Bednarik Award National Player of the Week, the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week and Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the win at Mississippi State on Oct. 25.

The third-year player has played in 39 career games with 31 starts. Through nine games in 2025, Hill has compiled a team-high 63 total tackles (34 solo) and three forced fumbles. He ranks second on the squad in tackles for loss (6.5), sacks (4.0), quarterback hurries (five) and interceptions (one). Hill’s three forced fumbles tie for sixth in the FBS and first in the SEC. 

Against No. 9/11 Vanderbilt on Nov. 1, Hill registered four tackles (three solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. After his performance against Mississippi State on Oct. 25, Hill was named the Chuck Bednarik Player of the Week, Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Hill led the Longhorns with career highs of 2.5 sacks and four pressures and matched his career high in tackles for loss with four, to go along with a forced fumble and a double-digit tackle total of 10. In the road win at Kentucky on Oct. 18, Hill led UT in tackles with 12 (eight solo) along with an interception and a quarterback hurry. Hill notched seven tackles (four solo) in Texas’ win against No. 6/6 Oklahoma on Oct. 11. Hill was Texas’ leading tackler vs. Florida on Oct. 4, notching a career-high 14 tackles with a 21-yard fumble return. In the Longhorns’ home opener vs. San Jose State on Sept. 6, Hill registered six tackles (five solo) and a career-high two forced fumbles.  

Behind Hill’s leadership on defense, UT ranks second in the FBS in rushing defense (78.2 ypg), third in opponent red zone scores per game (1.6), fifth in opponent red zone scoring attempts per game (2.0), fifth in opponent rushing first downs per game (5.1), fifth in sacks per game (3.6), seventh in fourth down conversion percentage defense (0.318), ninth in opponent yards per play (4.4), eighth in opponent points per play (0.233), 11th in opponent offense touchdowns per game (1.9), 11th in scoring defense (16.4), 17th in team tackles for loss (6.9), 22nd in total defense (381.4) and 24th in red zone defense (0.778). Texas’ defense has held eight of its last 10 opponents to under 100 rushing yards, dating back to the 2024 season. Through nine games, the Longhorns have gained 15 turnovers, which ranks fourth in the SEC. The Longhorns have now forced a turnover in 21-straight home games, the longest active streak in the FBS. 

Semifinalist voting for the Bednarik Award will begin on Monday, Nov. 17, and will close on Nov. 24. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 27, and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors, and selected national media. 

The 31st Chuck Bednarik Award winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The formal presentation of the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards will take place at the 89th Maxwell Awards Gala, which will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Atlanta. 

This week, Hill and the Longhorns travel to Athens, Ga., to take on No. 5/5/5 Georgia at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 15, at Sanford Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (reporter) and Laura Rutledge (reporter) on the call.

(via Texas release)