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Anthony Hill, Longhorn linebackers rank as the best in the country per Pro Football Focus

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•06/07/25•

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Thanks to one of the best players in college football in Anthony Hill Jr., the Texas Longhorns have the No. 1 linebacker corps in the country entering the 2025 season according to Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick.

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Here’s what Chadwick had to say about Johnny Nansen‘s position group.

The Longhorns have the best linebacker unit in college football thanks in large part to the best linebacker in college football. Anthony Hill Jr. Since 2023, his 32 coverage stops are tied for the most among FBS linebackers and his 10 sacks and five forced fumbles are tied for the most among Power Four linebackers. Hill racked up 127 plays where he made first contact on a ball carrier in that same span, the most of any returning Power Four linebacker.

Trey Moore is moving from edge defender to an off-ball role and had eight sacks last year, tied for 10th among SEC edge defenders. Texas also added Brad Spence from Arkansas in the transfer portal and he was eighth in the SEC with an 83.3 run-defense grade in 2024. Liona Lefau is also back for his junior campaign after starting for the Longhorns last season. Elijah Barnes will begin his collegiate career this year and was the No. 3 linebacker recruit from the 2025 high school class.

Hill, who earned second-team All-America honors last year according to four major selectors, is one of the top candidates for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and the Dick Butkus Award. A second-team All-SEC selection, Hill recorded 113 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2024 with an interception. He’ll be a leading figure on this year’s defense and is likely to hear his name called in the early rounds of the 2026 draft.

Spence earned plenty of positive reviews during the spring and is likely to help Texas maintain strong linebacker play over this season and the next. He recorded 54 tackles with 6.0 for loss plus 4.5 sacks in 2024 for the Razorbacks.

Limited mention of Lefau undersells his place within the Longhorn defense. The rising junior appeared in every game last year with 10 starts, notching 63 tackles with 5.0 for loss plus two sacks. He also had an interception, three passes defended, and a forced fumble. He’ll be relied on for his coverage skills at Will.

Moore represents a slight unknown but offers substantial versitility. An EDGE during his first year at Texas in 2024 and in prior seasons at UTSA, Moore has made the move to an off-ball role and will be looked at for meaningful snaps alongside Hill, Spence, and Lefau.

Barnes may contend for playing time during his true freshman season due to his well-developed frame. He was ranked as On3’s No. 1 linebacker in the 2025 class and a five-star prospect.

Not mentioned was Ty’Anthony Smith, a promising freshman who made plays when given the opportunity late in lopsided affairs or on special teams. Listed at 6-foot-1, 213 pounds, the Jasper (Texas) product has added weight and looks to be a major part of Texas’ defensive rotation this year. Jonathan Cunningham, another Longhorn linebacker, may see more actions on special teams and plus possible reserve action at Star during his first year on the 40 Acres.

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PFF ranked the Longhorn defensive line as the No. 10 group in the country, and has yet to rank the secondary. The Texas offense had several position groups in PFF’s top 10, including running back and pass-catchers.

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