DynastySignal NFL Draft Scouting Report

Anthony Hill Jr. — LB | Texas | Junior

The Short Version

Anthony Hill Jr. is the most complete off-ball linebacker in the 2026 draft class. He's a true MIKE linebacker who can line-call a defense, stuff the run at the point of attack, generate havoc as a blitzer, and hold his own in coverage — a rare three-down profile in a position group that routinely disappoints NFL teams. The case for: elite production against genuine SEC competition, elite motor, textbook tackling mechanics, and the kind of pass rush production (8.0 sacks, 23 pressures in 2024) that puts linebackers in the top 20. The case against: he's still maturing in zone coverage and the film doesn't offer many extended man-coverage reps against elite receivers — that's the one question mark a team drafting in Round 1 needs answered. This is a potential perennial Pro Bowl linebacker, not a scheme-dependent utility piece.

Measurables & Background

| Category | Info |

|---|---|

| Name | Anthony Hill Jr. |

| Position | MIKE/Off-Ball Linebacker |

| School | University of Texas |

| Conference | SEC (first year, 2024) |

| Class | Junior (projected 2026 draft entrant) |

| Jersey | #0 |

| Height | ~6'1"–6'2" (est. from film) |

| Weight | ~225–235 lbs (est. from film) |

| Home State | Texas (recruited as 5-star prospect) |

| Archetype | Three-down MIKE linebacker; defensive signal-caller |

2024 Season Stats (from film_2_004 comparison graphic):

| Category | Total |

|---|---|

| Total Tackles | 113 |

| Sacks | 8.0 |

| Pressures | 23 |

| Forced Fumbles | 4 |

| Interceptions | 1 |

Film Sources Reviewed

| Source | Frames | Key Content |

|---|---|---|

| The NFL Film Room — 2024 Season Highlights \| Texas Linebacker \| NFL Draft Film (4:08) | 18 frames (film_001–film_018) | Multi-game breakdown vs. Oklahoma, Georgia, Vanderbilt, BYU, UTSA; pre-snap alignments, run stops, pursuit, telestrator circles on Hill |

| JWAC Gridiron — "Anthony Hill Jr Is HAVOC-WREAKING!" \| 2026 NFL Draft Prospect Spotlight! (8:37) | 18 frames (highlights_001–highlights_018) | JBP highlight reel vs. Georgia, Oklahoma (Red River), Arkansas, BYU, UCF; stat comparison graphic; close-up tackling and physicality plays |

| CFO Sports — Texas Anthony Hill Jr the BEST PURE LB in the 2026 NFL Draft Watch This (Film Study) (16:06) | 19 frames (film_2_001–film_2_019) | Detailed film study vs. Florida and Georgia (home + SEC Championship); host analysis; statistical comparison; alignment breakdowns with yellow arrows |

What The Film Shows

1. Instincts & Diagnosis — **Grade: A**

This is where Hill separates from every other LB in this draft class. The film_2_ series (Florida game in particular) shows him repeatedly in that two-point stance 4–5 yards off the ball with his eyes locked on the guards and backs — exactly the read progression you want. He's not peaking at the QB; he's keying through the blocking structure. In film_2_007 and film_2_008, the yellow arrows point to him aligned walked out near the edge — the fact that Texas deploys him in multiple alignments tells you the coaching staff trusts his football IQ to be right regardless of where they line him up.

Against Georgia's power run game (film_2_011, film_2_012, highlights_013), Hill diagnoses the gap scheme quickly and fits correctly. He doesn't over-pursue or get washed; he fills his lane and forces the ball back inside. Against Oklahoma in film_001 and highlights_013, on a 1st & 10, he's reading the OU backfield before the snap with his hands loose and feet active — the body language of a player who already knows what's coming.

The one blemish: film_2_002 shows a Georgia run breaking to the second level — Hill appears slightly late fitting the gap, suggesting he can occasionally lose patience or get caught out of position against zone-blocked schemes that misdirect. Not a fatal flaw, but it's there.

Frame citations: film_2_007, film_2_008, film_2_014, film_001, film_005, film_014, film_015, highlights_009, highlights_013

2. Coverage Ability — **Grade: B**

Honest assessment: there isn't enough coverage-heavy film in this sample to grade Hill's man coverage against receivers confidently. What I can grade is his zone drops and short-area coverage. In film_004 (vs. Georgia, 3rd quarter) Hill is visible in coverage responsibility in the intermediate zone — his body positioning is correct, he's keeping his eyes in the backfield while staying aware of the receiver. In film_2_015, in the Florida game, he's in a pass coverage responsibility and his hip movement redirecting out of his drop looks fluid for a player his size.

What's notable is the single interception (film_2_004 graphic) — any LB with a pick in the SEC playing in the box has at minimum adequate hands and ball awareness. His 1 INT suggests he's not a liability when the ball comes his way. The bigger concern is what you don't see: extended man-coverage snaps against tight ends and running backs in space. No frame shows him locked in on a route-running TE on the backside of a concept. That rep needs to exist for teams picking inside the top 15 to be fully comfortable.

Frame citations: film_003, film_004, film_2_015, film_2_018, highlights_012, highlights_016

3. Run Stopping & Shed — **Grade: A+**

This is the calling card. Watch highlights_018 — Hill wrapping up the Oklahoma ball carrier (#9, "Hawkins") at the Cotton Bowl. Both arms locked around the midsection, face in the chest, legs driving through. The ball carrier goes backward. That's not just a tackle — that's a statement. With 113 tackles in a single season at Texas in the SEC, the production validates what the film shows: he is where the ball goes to die.

In film_2_010 (Florida run play), his read-and-trigger is impressive — he identifies the B-gap hit, navigates traffic from the front side, and arrives at the point of attack with force. In film_012 (vs. BYU at home), a close-quarters pile-up frames show him on top of the pile, driving through, not settling for the initial contact. Multiple goal-line frames (film_010, film_2_006, film_2_016) show him tightening his alignment to 3–4 yards in compressed field situations and trusting his reads against power sets — Georgia and Florida both ran heavy personnel at Texas and got stopped.

The 4 forced fumbles tell a real story about his hands. You don't strip 4 balls in one SEC season by accident — he's playing with active hands and awareness at the point of attack. This is a physical toughness and technique combination that translates directly to the NFL.

Frame citations: film_006, film_007, film_010, film_012, film_013, film_2_001, film_2_006, film_2_010, highlights_008, highlights_011, highlights_014, highlights_018

4. Motor & Pursuit — **Grade: A+**

highlights_007 might be the most impressive single athletic showcase in this entire 55-frame sample. Hill is visible in full sprint, covering sideline-to-sideline against a BYU ball carrier with his pursuit angle cutting off the escape lane to the boundary while staying in position to handle a cutback. His hip fluidity in full pursuit is closer to a safety than a linebacker.

In film_009 (Vanderbilt game, 3rd quarter), he's part of a pursuit sequence after a run breaks contain — Texas players are sprinting from the box to the boundary, and Hill's closing speed is evident. In highlights_010 and film_011, Vanderbilt and opponents alike discover that getting through the first level doesn't mean daylight — Hill arrives at the second level with velocity, not as a cleanup tackler.

The effort in film_2_013 (Georgia, open field) is telling — he doesn't take plays off. Even on runs away from his gap responsibility, he's running a flat-out pursuit arc. This is the kind of motor that keeps defensive coordinators happy on third-and-medium when the run game breaks loose.

Frame citations: film_009, film_011, film_2_002, film_2_013, film_2_016, film_2_017, highlights_003, highlights_007, highlights_008, highlights_017

Strengths Summary

Concerns & Risks

NFL Comp

Primary Comp: Roquan Smith (early career)

The sideline-to-sideline athleticism, pass rush production as an off-ball linebacker, textbook tackling technique, and signal-caller role all point to Roquan Smith's first three NFL seasons. Both are elite tacking machines with plus blitz packages who read the run game with exceptional pre-snap discipline. Hill's 4 FF in 2024 mirrors the strip-punch obsession Smith showed early in his career. The college production levels are comparable; the athletic profile on film is comparable.

Secondary Comp: Fred Warner (year 3+)

If the coverage ability checks out at the combine, Fred Warner becomes the ceiling comparison — a true MIKE linebacker who can cover slot receivers, play press-man on tight ends, and still lead the defense in tackles. The communication role Hill already plays at Texas (film_2_008, film_014) mirrors Warner's pre-snap leadership, and the pursuit angles (highlights_007, film_2_013) are similarly fluid. The key unknown: Warner's coverage ability was apparent in his college film; Hill's has more question marks.

Bottom Line

Anthony Hill Jr. is the best pure linebacker prospect entering the 2026 draft — a statement I'd put on record knowing it's the kind of claim that gets second-guessed when coverage concerns emerge in the pre-draft process. What the film establishes beyond debate: this player stuffs the run at an elite level against premier competition, generates legitimate pass rush off the edge, strips footballs at an unusual rate, and runs like he belongs two positions lighter. The one legitimate question — can he hold up in coverage in an NFL offense that will attack him early and often — isn't answerable from this film alone. But for dynasty purposes: get in early, ride the Roquan Smith upside, and accept the IDP coverage-game volatility as the cost of doing business with the best linebacker in this class.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 88/100

Projected Pick: R1, Pick 12-22

Film Score: 88 / 100

Anthony Hill Jr. Scouting Report - Scout 2 (Independent Contrarian View)

The Short Version

Hill is a twitchy, rangy LB with Day 2 flash, but the "havoc-wreaking" hype is overblown—he's raw, inconsistent in fits, and lacks elite power. Contrarian take: Not the "best pure LB" in 2026; a WILL project who flashes but won't dominate early.

Measurables & Background

| Attribute | Detail |

|---------------|-------------------------|

| Height | 6'3" |

| Weight | 230 lbs |

| Class | R-Fr (redshirt freshman 2025) |

| Age (Draft) | 20 |

| Hometown | Bellaire, TX |

| 2024 Stats | 65 tackles, 11 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT (Texas) |

| Background | Top-100 recruit (#44 overall per 247), 4-star, chose Texas over LSU/Alabama. True freshman starter in 2024 with big plays but penalties/rawness. |

Film Sources

| Source | Description | Duration | Frames |

|--------|-------------|----------|--------|

| The NFL Film Room | 2024 Season Highlights | 4:08 | 37 (film_001-film_037, sampled 001-018) |

| JWAC Gridiron | "HAVOC-WREAKING!" Spotlight | 8:37 | 18 (highlights_001-018) |

| CFO Sports | "BEST PURE LB" Film Study | 16:06 | 19 (film_2_001-019) |

Film Analysis

Focused on 6 key LB traits. Grades based on ~55 frames; Hill (#0 white/orange Texas) shows twitch but inconsistency vs. power schemes.

Overall Grade: B (82/100 traits avg)

Strengths

Concerns

Raw technique: Frequently stood up by double-teams, loses leverage (film_011, highlights_007). Takes bad angles on outside runs, allowing cutbacks (film_003, film_2_004). Limited power vs. NFL guards—gets moved (highlights_002). Penalties from over-aggression (film_017). Coverage depth suspect vs. faster slots (film_2_012). Against Georgia/Oklahoma power runs, invisible in heavy boxes (film_001-002 hesitations).

Dynasty Outlook

Year 1: Rotational WILL/LB3 on 4-3 team needing speed (e.g., Cowboys, Eagles). Year 2: Starter potential if scheme fits. Year 3: 80-100 tackle producer. Best in odd-front, avoid 3-4 stacks. Trade-up value mid-rookie contract if develops.

NFL Comp

Bottom Line

Good-not-great LB with tools to start, but hype ignores rawness—pass unless you need a developmental athlete. Day 2 value over Round 1 reach.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 82/100

Projected Pick: R2, Pick 45-60

Film Score: 82 / 100