The heart of the Texas defense is beating strong heading into 2025, with junior linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau earning spots on the Butkus Award preseason watch list, the prestigious honor given annually to the top linebacker in college football.
For Hill, it’s familiar territory—he was a semifinalist in 2024 and returns to the list for the second straight year. Lefau, meanwhile, makes his debut appearance, signaling his rise as one of the most promising defenders in the nation.
The Longhorns are no strangers to Butkus glory. Derrick Johnson brought the award home in 2004, with Sergio Kindle and Johnson both earning finalist nods in earlier seasons. Now, Hill and Lefau look to add their names to that elite company.
Anthony Hill Jr.: The Enforcer Returns
A First-Team All-SEC preseason selection, Hill was a force of nature in 2024. Starting all 16 games, he racked up 103 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles—leading the team in nearly every major defensive category. His dominance was on full display in the Red River Rivalry, where he torched Oklahoma with 11 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble, earning a trio of national awards in one week.
Hill has also landed on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists, further cementing his status as one of the most feared defenders in the country. With 30 games and 22 starts under his belt, the Denton native is poised for a monster junior campaign.
Liona Lefau: Hawaii Heat in the Heart of Texas
Hailing from Laie, Hawaii, Lefau made his presence felt in 2024 with 10 starts in 16 appearances. He finished fifth on the team in tackles (63), added 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and 3 pass breakups. His breakout moment came against ULM, where he delivered 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, a sack, and a safety. He followed that up with a pick against Vanderbilt and a career-high 8 tackles in the CFP Quarterfinal against Arizona State.
Now entering his third year, Lefau has played in 30 games and is ready to take the next step as a leader in the Longhorn linebacker corps.
Key Dates for the Butkus Award:
- Semifinalists Announced: November 4
- Finalists Revealed: November 25
- Winner Announced: By December 10
- Award Ceremony: Early 2026 at Memorial Stadium, University of Illinois (featured on Big Ten Network)
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