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Anthony Hill Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report
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- Anthony Hill Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is one of the top prospects at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a well-rounded skill set that should allow him to make an immediate impact on all three downs at the next level.
Here's everything NFL fans need to know about Hill heading into this year's draft:
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Anthony Hill Jr.'s Vitals
Height:6-3
Weight:238
Age:20
Anthony Hill Jr.'s Strengths
An impressive athlete with sideline-to-sideline range, Hill has a fantastic combination of size and movement skills that allow him to get to the ball quickly in any direction. His intelligence and instincts allow him to read and react quickly, flying downhill in a hurry and sniffing out plays before they get going. He uses his size to his advantage as a tackler, delivering crushing blows that can separate the ball from the opponent, leading to takeaway opportunities for the defense. Hill's football IQ serves him well in coverage, understanding short and intermediate route concepts and showing the spatial awareness to handle zone responsibilities. He's a valuable weapon as an extra rusher when asked to blitz, showing surprising pass-rushing technique with effective hand usage and understanding of leverage and angles to get to the quarterback.
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Anthony Hill Jr.'s Weaknesses
Hill relies too much on his pure physical traits, leaning on his athleticism to overcome a lack of polished technique. If he's not able to run around blockers or beat them to the punch, Hill can get swallowed up by more technically sound blockers, proving he's still learning how to maximize his size as a run defender at the point of attack. Explosive running backs and tight ends can stress his ability to flip his hips and stay connected in man coverage, and sharp route runners can create separation by challenging his footwork. He can create highlight-reel plays when flying downhill, but it leaves him susceptible to overpursuit and creates voids against play-action passes.
Final Analysis
His technique needs some refinement, but Hill brings physical tools you just can't teach, and his combination of smarts and playmaking instincts give him a high ceiling if he can find the right coaching staff to smooth out the rough edges in his game. If that happens, there's Pro Bowl potential for a three-down defender with Hill's combination of athletic ability and mental prowess.
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2026 NFL Draft Projection: 2nd Round
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
