2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker, Texas
| Critical Factors | |||||
| 3-Down Ability | FBI/Instincts | Play Speed | |||
| 8 | 8 | 8 | |||
| Positional Factors | |||||
| 3-Level Impact | QB Defense | Stoutness | Shed Ability | Navigate Trash | Tackling |
| 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Man Coverage | Zone Coverage | Range | Blitz | Toughness | ST Value |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Football IQ | Pursuit angles |
| Tackling Ability | Disengaging from Blockers |
| Blitzing with good timing | Man coverage |
Overall
Anthony Hill Jr. is a versatile and instinctive linebacker with the tools to excel in multiple defensive roles. His high football IQ allows him to read and react quickly, making him a natural fit for aggressive defensive schemes. Hill’s tackling is among his strongest traits; he consistently finishes plays with excellent form and physicality. While his blitzing ability adds value on third downs, improving his man coverage and block-shedding will make him a more complete player. He projects as a starting MIKE linebacker in the NFL, with the flexibility to play WILL in certain alignments.
Pass Game
Hill brings significant value in the passing game with his ability to diagnose plays and react quickly. He is particularly effective as a blitzer, using timing and explosiveness to penetrate the backfield and disrupt the quarterback. In zone coverage, Hill demonstrates good awareness and positioning, often reading the quarterback’s eyes to make plays on the ball. However, his man coverage skills are less refined, and he can struggle against quicker, shiftier running backs and tight ends. Developing his ability to mirror routes and improve footwork in man-to-man situations will elevate his impact on passing downs.
Run Game
Hill is a downhill, physical presence in the run game. He uses his instincts and quick reaction time to diagnose plays and get to the ball carrier efficiently. His sideline-to-sideline range makes him effective in tracking down runners, and his tackling is both secure and impactful. He excels at navigating through traffic, showing the ability to slip past blockers and stay clean in congested areas. However, he occasionally struggles against stronger blockers and needs to improve his hand usage to shed blocks more consistently. Hill’s aggressive play style occasionally leads to over-pursuit, but his high motor ensures he’s always involved in the play.
Last Word
Hill projects as a starting MIKE linebacker in a defensive scheme that emphasizes aggression and versatility. He is well-suited for roles that require blitzing, strong run defense, and zone coverage in the passing game. His ability to impact the game at all three levels and contribute to special teams adds to his value. With continued refinement in man coverage and block-shedding, Hill can develop into a top-tier linebacker at the next level.
One-Liner:
Anthony Hill Jr. is a smart, physical linebacker with elite tackling and blitzing skills, ready to anchor a defense at the next level.
Grade: 6.9 – Ceiling: 7.3 (30%) Floor: 6.6 (20%) Round: 2
Best Fit Teams:
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ aggressive, blitz-heavy defense would be an ideal fit for Hill’s skill set. Hill’s ability to process plays quickly and his high-level football IQ would allow him to thrive in Dallas’ complex defensive packages. His tackling ability and range would immediately improve the Cowboys’ second level, and his blitzing ability would add another layer to the team’s pass rush. Dallas has struggled with linebacker depth in recent years, and Hill’s ability to impact all three downs would make him a valuable addition to their front seven.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a strong history of developing versatile linebackers, and Hill’s combination of play speed, physicality, and instincts would make him an immediate contributor. Baltimore’s defense frequently sends linebackers on blitzes and requires them to be effective in zone coverage — both areas where Hill excels. His sideline-to-sideline range and tackling ability would strengthen Baltimore’s ability to defend both the run and short passing game. Hill’s intelligence and ability to adjust on the fly would allow him to handle the Ravens’ complex defensive schemes from day one.
3. New England Patriots
New England values linebackers who can read and diagnose plays quickly, and Hill’s football IQ and versatility make him a natural fit. Their defense often asks linebackers to play multiple roles — blitzing, dropping into coverage, and defending the run — all of which align with Hill’s strengths. While his man coverage skills need refinement, his zone coverage ability and blitzing instincts would allow him to succeed early. Hill’s tackling ability and ability to process complex defensive calls would allow him to grow into a key defensive leader in New England.
Hunter Kirkhope is an experienced sports data analyst with a strong background in scouting and live data collection. He currently works as a Live Data Analyst at Sports Info Solutions (SIS), where he scouts collegiate football athletes and writes detailed scouting reports based on performance analysis. His expertise includes collecting and analyzing real-time data from USFL games and Division I college football programs, including the University of Akron, Ohio State University, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Hunter’s work at SIS includes providing valuable insights to optimize team performance and inform strategic decisions using industry-standard tools such as Banjo and Connect Teams. He has demonstrated his analytical skills by tracking live statistics for March Madness 2024 and 2025 games and completing a sports analytics certification course through a mock college football game evaluation.
In addition to his professional experience, Hunter has a strong educational foundation in sports analytics and data science. He is pursuing a degree in Sports Data Analytics and Statistics at the University of Akron, where he has excelled in courses like Programming for Data Science, Survival Analytics, Statistical Data Management, and Advanced Statistical Computing. He has also competed in the 2023 and 2024 Cleveland Cavaliers Hackathons, applying his data analysis skills in a competitive environment.
Hunter’s background includes managing game-day operations and logistics as part of the Akron Facilities Staff, as well as serving as the Head Field Crew Manager for the Twinsburg Baseball League. His experience in coordinating events, managing personnel, and maintaining professional environments reflects his strong leadership and operational skills.
Hunter’s technical proficiency includes working with tools like SAS, SPSS, R, Python, C++, and Matlab, along with a deep understanding of sports data collection and performance analysis. His analytical approach and hands-on experience make him a valuable asset in the field of sports analytics and scouting.