Anthony Hill Jr. stands as one of the most physically gifted and scheme‑versatile linebackers in the 2026 draft class, a modern defender built for today’s game -- and a player the Jacksonville Jaguars might consider as their first pick. 

Jacksonville will make its first selection in this year's draft in the second round, with pick No. 56. The team owns 11 total picks, including four in the top 100.

Jaguars Roundtable is checking out a range of prospects in the Class of 2026 that might mesh with Jacksonville's current roster, coaching staff, and the team's X's and O's strategies.

Other defenders profiled in NFL draft analyst Jeremy Ballreich's series include top-end linebackers the likes of Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels and Oregon's Bryce Boettcher, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds out of Indiana, and Cincinnati nose tackle Dontay Corleone.

Offensive position players also will be a focal point for the Jags, and our draft profiles will feature offensive linemen like Isaiah World out of Oregon and Penn State's Drew Shelton as well as running back prospects Le'Veon Moss from Texas A&M, Mike Washington Jr. out of Arkansas, and Washington's Jonah Coleman.  The Jaguars could also consider adding depth at tight end with Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers and at receiver with Southern Cal's Ja'Kobi Lane.

Here we take a closer look at Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.

Anthony Hill Jr. arrived at Texas as one of the most heralded defensive recruits in the country, and he wasted no time proving the hype was justified.

From the moment he stepped on the field in Austin, the Wichita, Kansas, native played with a level of urgency, violence, and natural instinct that made him impossible to keep off the field. 

At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Hill carries his weight like an edge rusher, but moves like a hybrid linebacker‑safety. His athletic profile jumps off the tape: explosive first step, loose hips, and the kind of pursuit speed that erases angles.

Texas used him everywhere -- stacked inside, walked up on the edge, mugged in the A‑gap, and even flexed out in space against tight ends. No matter the alignment, Hill brought the same trademark intensity: downhill aggression, controlled chaos, and a relentless motor.

Hill’s calling card is his ability to disrupt. As a blitzer, he’s a nightmare. He times snaps well, slips through protection with suddenness, and finishes with real pop. Texas frequently unleashed him as a pressure piece, and he consistently forced quarterbacks off their spots.

His pass‑rush toolbox is still developing, but the raw traits -- bend, burst, and power -- give him legitimate three‑down pressure upside at the next level.

Against the run, Hill plays with a striker’s mentality. He triggers fast, attacks blocks with violent hands, and arrives at the ball carrier with bad intentions. His range allows him to chase plays down from the backside, and his strength lets him stack and shed when he needs to play square.

He’s not just an athlete, he’s a tone‑setter. When Texas needed a physical spark, Hill was usually the one delivering it.

In coverage, Hill is more functional than polished, but the tools are there.

He moves well enough to carry tight ends up the seam, and his short‑area quickness helps him close windows underneath.

His awareness is improving; he’s learning how to read route combinations rather than relying solely on athleticism. With NFL coaching, he projects as a versatile coverage defender who can handle both zone responsibilities and selective man assignments.

Where Hill truly separates himself is his competitive temperament. He plays like every snap is a fight he refuses to lose. His effort is constant, his energy contagious, and his physicality unmistakable. Coaches rave about players who tilt the field with intensity, and Hill is that type of linebacker. He’s the defender who forces offenses to account for him on every down.

There are still areas for refinement. His instincts, while improving, can occasionally lead him to overrun plays or bite too aggressively on misdirection. His coverage technique needs continued polish, and he’ll need to prove he can consistently diagnose NFL‑level route concepts. But these are growth areas, not red flags. Hill’s foundation -- athleticism, violence, versatility, and motor -- is exactly what defensive coordinators covet.

Hill projects as a high‑impact, three‑down linebacker with hybrid potential. He fits beautifully in aggressive fronts that value pressure, movement and multiplicity. Whether he’s a WILL who hunts sideline to sideline, a SAM who walks up on the edge, or a pressure‑heavy chess piece, Hill will bring immediate value.

He’s the type of defender who changes the personality of a defense -- fast, violent, and always around the ball. With continued development in coverage and processing, he has legitimate Pro Bowl upside.

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