After dominating with seven tackles and an interception, the former Texas standout fights for a starting role while maintaining a relentless, underdog mindset in the Titans' linebacker room.
It was anyone's guess as to who the Tennessee Titans would take No. 4 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There was speculation that it would be Jeremiyah Love, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese or David Bailey. Bailey went No. 2 overall to the New York Jets, and the Arizona Cardinals selected Love at No. 3 just before the Titans picked.
Styles and Reese were both available, but the Titans went with Carnell Tate instead. The New York Giants took Reese at No. 5 overall, then the Washington Commanders selected Styles at No. 7.
We know that Robert Saleh had a specific build in mind when looking for a middle linebacker. He's worked with Bobby Wagner at the Seattle Seahawks and, most recently, Fred Warner at the San Francisco 49ers.
Styles fit that mold very well, but after the Titans took Tate, they needed a backup plan. That backup plan was Anthony Hill Jr. out of Texas.
He didn't quite have the same build that Styles does, but he was the next best thing. Hill is currently fighting for a spot in the linebacker room and made a good case for why he deserves a chance to start on Sunday night.
Hill led the team with seven total tackles and also had one interception, which was one of the three takeaways the Titans had. He was asked after the game if he had gotten to the point where everything was starting to click.
Hill responded that he never wants to feel that way because in football, you are constantly competing with others for your spot.
"I feel like it hasn't happened yet," Hill said. "I feel like I'm still learning. I got a lot to learn. There's certain stuff that I want to clean up. So, I feel like football is never like a sport to where you like, 'Oh, I got it. I clicked on it.' Once you got it, it's over. Football isn't a sport where you made it or you got it cause somebody always coming behind that feel like that's hungry. So, football is never a sport where you can be like, 'Well, I got it. It's clicking.' So, I'm always gonna keep learning and always try to get better."
This tells us everything we need to know about Hill.
It's no wonder that people like ESPN's Ben Solak believed Hill could come in and challenge Cody Barton for the starting role at middle linebacker.
This kind of mentality will take Hill far in the NFL. Hopefully, he'll be around with the Titans for a very long time.
