Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Named Shaun Alexander Freshman Of The Week

Anthony Hill Jr. was a one-man wrecking crew Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill was a one-man wrecking crew against Alabama's offense on Saturday night at Bryant Denny Stadium. On Monday, he was praised for his performance. 

Hill was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Tuesday. Hill is the first Longhorns freshman to receive the honor in 2023. 

A native of Denton, Hill established himself as an enforcer in the Longhorns' front seven en route to a 34-24 victory over then-No. 3 Alabama. He recorded career-highs in tackles (six), tackles for loss (two) and sacks (two). 

Anthony Hill Jr. has been named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week! 🤘 @thegoatanthony1 pic.twitter.com/h7i697UgG2

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 12, 2023

Both of Hill's sacks occurred in third-and-long situations in the second half, with the second — an eight-yard loss that pushed Alabama back to its own 12-yard line — appearing on the Crimson Tide's final offensive play of the game.

© Aaron E. Martinez, USA TODAY

Hill became the first Texas freshman to record multiple sacks in a game since Malik Jefferson's performance against Oklahoma in 2015. He also registered four pressures, two of which came on the Longhorns' game-sealing drive with just over six minutes remaining. 

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.

One of the nation's top recruits, Hill has emerged as a key contributor to Pete Kwiatkowsk's through two games. He totaled seven tackles while splitting reps with senior David Gbenda, often being relegated to a pass-rushing role on third down. 

The Longhorns continue to use Hill in a similar fashion to LSU's Harold Perkins. Last season, Perkins was named a First-Team All-SEC member after totaling a team-high 7.5 sacks to match his 72 total tackles. 

The Longhorns return to Royal-Memorial Stadium Saturday to face Wyoming at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on The Longhorn Network.