Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Showing Early He's Worthy of Wearing No. 0

DeMarvion Overshown is heading to the NFL, but sported the clean-looking No. 0 jersey on defense for the past three years in Austin. It's only been one spring game, but Texas Longhorns freshman linebacker Anthony Hill is showing he's capable of living up to the expectations that come with the threads.

© Scott Wachter, USA TODAY (left), © Ricardo B. Brazziell, Austin American-Statesman (right)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Suiting up in the No. 0 jersey for the Texas Longhorns this fall means filling some big shoes.

But even on an afternoon where the typical hard-hitting violence of football was nowhere to be found, Texas freshman linebacker Anthony Hill showed during the Orange-White Spring Game in Austin on Saturday that he's capable of living up to the expectations left by DeMarvion Overshown ... minus all the armbands, of course.

And when Hill's receiving some heavy praise from the guy who's now the undoubted leader of the defense heading into next season, there's obviously something tasty brewing.

"He had a pretty good day," Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford said. "He was on the opposite team so I didn't want to celebrate him too much. ... He carried himself well, and he had a lot of reps. So I thought that was pretty big for him to just get his feet wet."

Hill, who suited up for the White Team in a 21-10 win over Orange, found ways to make a noticeable impact both visibly and on the stat sheet despite not being able to hit the quarterback or ball carrier the way he normally would.

Hill finished with three total tackles, one tackle for loss and one "sack" that was just him simply tapping quarterback Arch Manning on the shoulder to make the play.

Still, he got through the offensive line on multiple occasions with impressive burst and speed. He clearly caught the eye of his head coach while playing at numerous spots on the defensive front.

"Felt like I saw a lot of Anthony Hill today, which is a positive." Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. "I know he played multiple positions."

Considering that Hill still has five months to continue learning the system and getting adjusted to life as a collegiate linebacker before the season-opening game against the Rice Owls on Sept. 2, Texas fans should feel tons of excitement for where he's headed.

They'll be joining Ford, who's just as hyped to see how Hill develops as the rest of the Longhorn faithful.

"Honestly, I'm really excited for how far he's come since he's been here and the potential he has to continue to grow into next season," Ford said.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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