Sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas football has been named the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation. Alongside this accolade, Hill also earned the titles of Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
Entering the 2024 season on watch lists for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Dick Butkus Award, Hill has continued to shine. In the No. 1/1 Texas’ 34-3 win over No. 18/16 Oklahoma on October 12, Hill was pivotal to the Longhorns’ defense, which has started the season 6-0 for the first time since 2009.
Hill recorded 11 tackles (seven solo), two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one quarterback hurry. This game marked his second career double-digit tackling effort and forced fumble, and he matched his career highs in tackles and sacks while setting a new personal best for tackles for loss. Notably, Hill has achieved a sack in four consecutive games and a tackle for loss in ten straight games.
His performance against Oklahoma was crucial. Hill forced a fumble late in the first half, leading to a Texas touchdown, and delivered key tackles for loss and sacks that stifled Oklahoma’s offensive efforts.
Defensively, Texas has allowed only 38 points through six games, the fewest since 1964. The Longhorns lead the nation in scoring defense (6.3 points per game) and total defense (229.7 yards per game) and rank highly in several other defensive categories.
Hill leads the Texas defense with 42 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks this season. In his two seasons at Texas, he has accumulated 109 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
