Following a season that saw them have a record 12 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Texas Longhorns are widely expected to pump out some more top prospects for years to come. The Longhorns produced four first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while there is obviously still plenty of time before next year's draft, ESPN already expects them to have at least one in 2026. ESPN's NFL Draft expert Matt Miller recently released his mock draft for the 2026 class, and has Texas linebacker Anthony Hill slated to go No. 4 overall to the New York Jets.
Texas Star Anthony Hill Projected as Top 5 NFL Draft Pick But May Switch Positions originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Following a season that saw them have a record 12 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Texas Longhorns are widely expected to pump out some more top prospects for years to come.
The Longhorns produced four first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while there is obviously still plenty of time before next year's draft, ESPN already expects them to have at least one in 2026.
ESPN's NFL Draft expert Matt Miller recently released his mock draft for the 2026 class, and has Texas linebacker Anthony Hill slated to go No. 4 overall to the New York Jets. However, there is a caveat to Hill going this early.
Miller revealed that he expects Hill to switch from a traditional linebacker to more of a every down pass rusher, once he gets to the NFL.
"Hill was a stat-sheet filler in 2024, posting 113 tackles, 8 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and a 32-yard pick-six," wrote Miller. "His range in coverage and blitzing ability reminds of Fred Warner, but at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Hill could get the Micah Parsons treatment and move to an edge rusher role. That makes him the rare linebacker worthy of a top-five pick."
Although this may sound bizarre, Texas is so deep at edge rusher that they can afford not to play Hill there full-time. They also feature high-level talents such as Colin Simmons, Ethan Burke and Trey Moore.
Regardless of what role he plays, the expectations for Hill are clearly that he will be among the best in the country next season.
Related: Colorado Emerging as Landing Spot for Freshman All-American Amid Uncertainty at Tennessee
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
