The Carolina Panthers have a rich tradition of elite linebacker play. Sam Mills is already enshrined in the Hall of Fame, and Luke Kuechly will almost certainly join him in Canton. Thomas Davis, a three-time Pro Bowler, is also part of that legacy.
In recent years, the position has become one of the team’s weakest spots. If Carolina wants to restore its defense to elite status, it needs a new leader at linebacker.
One player who could fit that role is Texas star Anthony Hill Jr. Regarded as an elite prospect since high school and the top-ranked linebacker in his recruiting class, Hill wasted no time making an impact. As a true freshman, he earned Co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors after racking up 66 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks.
College production and rise to stardom
He took his game to another level last season. As a true sophomore, Hill was named a second-team All-American, led the SEC with 16.5 tackles for loss, and paced the Longhorns with 113 total tackles. He was also a dangerous pass rusher, producing eight sacks on just 51 pass-rushing snaps. That level of efficiency will jump off the page on any draft board.
Physically, Hill is the most athletic middle linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has the burst to bend the edge as a rusher, fluid hips for zone coverage, and the range to cover sideline to sideline against the run. His athleticism also makes him a reliable open-field tackler, missing only 11 percent of his attempts last season. While he is lighter than most middle linebackers at 238 pounds, his strength allows him to keep blockers away from his frame and shed contact effectively.
"He's putting guys on their head like they're break dancing!" @DesmondHoward on Anthony Hill Jr. and Texas' defense 😤 pic.twitter.com/vrOq22pLCI
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 19, 2024
The biggest concern for Hill is his ability to diagnose plays quickly. Some analysts, including those at A to Z Sports, believe this could drop him into the second round. At Texas, he often played with freedom rather than in a traditional gap-sound role. While that freedom boosted his stats, NFL teams like Carolina are unlikely to give him the same level of autonomy early in his career.
Even with that concern, I have a high first-round grade on Hill and believe his instincts are better than some critics suggest. Most draft experts agree, as he currently holds a consensus ranking as the 13th overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft according to NFL Mock Draft Database.
If the Panthers were able to add Hill to their linebacker corps, he would likely replace Christian Rozeboom immediately. That would be a significant upgrade for a defense that allowed 3,057 rushing yards and 5.2 yards per carry last season, both the worst marks in the NFL. Hill could give Carolina a cornerstone to build around for years to come.