Anthony Hill named On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill was named an On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American team on Tuesday, the only member of the Longhorns to earn the distinction.
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Hill, listed at 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds by the Texas program, was ranked as the No. 16 overall prospect, the No. 2 linebacker, and the No. 4 player in Texas in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings, said this when adding Hill to the team filled with first-year stars.
“Aggressive, physical, downhill linebacker with versatility to also be a situational pass rusher. I think that skill set, his level of development, coming from a top HS program … has him set up to really make an impact early on as a freshman for Texas.
“Early returns seem to indicate that the Texas staff is moving Anthony Hill around. Getting him looks as a blitzer, pass rusher, in addition to playing a traditional linebacker role. … It’s not hard to see him making an impact early on, on what’s a big year for Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns.”
Charles Power
Hill was the highest rated defensive player in Texas’ 2023 signing class. A product of Denton (Texas) Ryan, Hill enrolled early and is primed to play a significant amount of snaps in 2023. What role he plays is something Sarkisian is keeping close to the vest. However, Sarkisian mentioned on Monday what Hill is doing in the battle for snaps at the Will linebacker spot, a role he may play in addition to any other the staff carves out for the former five-star.
“From Anthony’s perspective, what he doesn’t know he makes up for with instincts,” Sarkisian said. “He definitely has good instincts for the game. He might not be right, but gets his hand on the ball. Might not be the exact rush we’re trying to get, but he finds his way to get to the quarterback. His instincts kick in.”
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Those instincts are familiar to Ja’Tavion Sanders, a former high school teammate of Hill’s. Earlier in Texas’ preseason camp, Sanders heaped praise on his former fellow Raider.
“You see flashes,” Sanders said. “That’s what you want to see in a young guy because he can have what it takes, he’s just got to get the right mindset, get his body right, and just get right in general.”
During his All-American high school career, Hill recorded 303 tackles, 13 sacks, and nine forced fumbles. He also rushed for 378 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Players on Texas’ schedule who made the team included Kadyn Proctor and Caleb Downs of Alabama and Peyton Bowen of Oklahoma.
The full team can be found here.
