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Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill continue to garner national attention in the offseason

Defensive stars Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill Jr. had promising starts in their young careers. Now, even more eyes are on the two Longhorns.
BySam Fariss|
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It's no secret that the Texas defense is filled to the brim with talent. However, head coach Steve Sarkisian has already relied heavily on a few young players, a couple of whom have continued to excel as spring practices have unfolded.

Two Longhorns in particular have stood out over the last year or so and are only expected to improve during the upcoming season.

Anthony Hill Jr. and Colin Simmons are menaces on the defensive end of the ball for Texas, and even their teammates are touting them as problems for the dominant offensive unit.

During this offseason, both defensive stars have garnered a lot of national attention as the Horns prepare for their second season in the SEC. Collins, who will be a sophomore in 2025, and Hill, who will be a junior this year, are both expected to do big things for Texas.

ESPN's Ryan Clark, who played college football safety at LSU and then played in the NFL for over a decade, had high praise for the young athletes.

"Texas Longhorn defensive stars Colin Simmons & Anthony Hill know that there’s always someone ready to take their spot," Clark wrote. "Both [Simmons] & [Hill] are ready to step up their leadership... They know that mental errors, & the lack of attention to detail that cost them against Ohio State, cannot be tolerated!"

Clark is right, this Texas squad is young, but the Horns aren't inexperienced. Just a few months ago, the Longhorns stormed through the first two rounds of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoffs before they went down to the wire against the eventual National Champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Anthony Hill Jr. 2024-25 season stats

  • 113 total tackles (59 solo)
  • 8 sacks
  • 4 forced fumbles
  • 1 interception
  • 1 pass deflection

Colin Simmons 2024-25 season stats

  • 48 total tackles (31 solo)
  • 9 sacks
  • 3 forced fumbles
  • 2 pass deflections
  • 1 interception

This season, with new starting quarterback Arch Manning holding the reins of the offense, it will be players like Hill and Simmons who have to lead the Texas defense, despite their young age.

Just to add fuel to their motivation, the Longhorns will kick off their 2025 campaign with an away game in Columbus, OH, against none other than the Buckeyes. Texas and Ohio State will play on Saturday, Aug. 30.

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