As the Longhorns prepare for a massive road trip to Athens, one of the stars has gotten some great individual news. Anthony Hill Jr. has been named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to the defensive player of the year. This is the second year in a row Hill has been given this honor, last year being part of a Longhorn duo with Jahdae Barron. Hill also was chosen as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation’s top LB.
One of the most outstanding defensive players in college football 🫡🤘 pic.twitter.com/RQOeZbZ8fC
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 11, 2025
This comes as no surprise to Longhorn fans who have seen the impact Hill has had this season. Hill has totaled 64 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 FFs and an INT on the season thus far, and is captaining a top 20 defense in the country. He’s been incredible this season, and it would not be surprising to see him make his way into the finalist pool. That will come if Hill can continue to make a major impact week in and week out.
For him to bring home the hardware, he will have to contend with a number of other elite defenders, including three on the schedule moving forward. CJ Allen, UGA LB, Cashius Howell, A&M pass rusher and SEC sack leader and Quincy Rhodes Jr, top notch Arkansas pass rusher. Hill will be able to show himself side by side against some of his competitors starting this weekend.
Anthony Hill Jr. was a GAME WRECKER, posting 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 9 total pressures against Mississippi State
Potential 1st round pick at LB 👀 pic.twitter.com/w5vsZJvdkr
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 28, 2025
Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 27, and then the winner will be voted on. The award winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. If Hill was able to bring home the award, he would become the first Longhorn to win the award. Anthony Hill is always wired towards team achievements over individual achievements, but he’s firmly in the mix for one of the top individual awards in the sport.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns star LB, Hill Jr., makes short list for top defensive award
