AUSTIN — Multiple representatives from the Dallas Cowboys, including head coach Brian Schottenheimer, had their attention on Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. as he made an important decision: What would he order for his dinner with them on Monday night? In the scouting process, everything is a data point. Even the most minute moments can be pieces of a bigger puzzle.
Hill decided to go with smothered chicken and a caesar salad.
“I was trying to keep it light,” Hill said. “I knew I had to run.”
And he knew there would plenty of attention on him, too. Especially from the Denton Ryan alumnus’ hometown team.
Cowboys
Denton Ryan junior Anthony Hill Jr., SportsDay’s No. 1 recruit, is photographed before the school’s trophy case in their Denton, Texas field house, January 31, 2022.
Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
The Cowboys were probably the most represented team in the NFL at Texas’ pro day in Austin on Tuesday. Not only did they have quantity, but they also had high quality, in terms of higher-ups. Schottenheimer was joined by Will McClay, the team’s vice president of player personnel, defensive coordinator Christian Parker and several other scouts.
The Longhorns have a good contingent of draftable defenders, including former UTSA pass rusher Trey Moore, who also did off-ball linebacker drills, and cornerbacks Jaylon Guilbeau and Malik Muhammad. The Cowboys also have plans to meet more with Muhammad, a South Oak Cliff alumnus.
Hill, a potential first-round pick, is likely the crown jewel of the Longhorns’ draft class. The Cowboys could consider Hill to fill their pressing need at linebacker next to DeMarvion Overshown, another fellow Texas linebacker.
There’s a lot of similarities between Hill and Overshown. They’re both 6-foot-2. They both ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.5s at the NFL Scouting Combine, with Hill (4.51) edging Overshown (4.56) by .05 seconds. Hill even said that he’s watched a lot of Overshown’s film.
“The way he takes on blocks, I try to use that in my game,” Hill said. “He kind of uses some finesse and a little bit of power. So I try to model my game and use some of that.”
They also both wore No. 0 at Texas. Hill was quick to point out that Overshown also wears No. 0 for the Cowboys, too.
“There can’t be two Agent Zeros,” Hill said, referring to the nickname that comes with wearing No. 0 as a linebacker at Texas. “So I know I would have to get a new number, but man, it would be a blessing to play with him. I’ve been watching him my whole life.”
There is a question that comes with that potential pairing, however: Could the tandem of Hill and Overshown be too similar for the Cowboys?
Overshown is expected to play Will linebacker for the Cowboys. They don’t have a penciled-in starter next to him yet, though they do have second-year linebackers Shemar James and Justin Barron on the roster. Finding a Mike linebacker was something the Cowboys attempted to do in free agency. They went after multiple, including Quay Walker and NaKobe Dean — both of whom signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In theory, the Cowboys would be on the hunt for a Mike linebacker who complements Overshown, rather than someone who is similar to him. There’s belief that Hill can play both positions, however. His NFL.com comparison is former Washington and Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner. Like Wagner, Hill also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing his Texas career with 17 sacks in three seasons.
“He’s a first-round guy for me,” said Moore, who was his roommate at the NFL combine. “He’s a baller. The teams know what they’re going to get with him. He plays physical, plays fast. If a team doesn’t come and get him in the first round, that’s going to be a big surprise for me. I think he deserves to be there.”
Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) lines up against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of a CFP first round playoff game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, December 21, 2024.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
The Cowboys will likely have to use a first-round pick on Hill if they want him. The Cowboys have two, currently slotted at No. 12 and No. 20. There’s a chance they could trade back from either of those spots in order to get more draft capital. The next pick after No. 20 is No. 92. Hill, ranked 37th overall on the big board of NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, likely won’t last long after the Cowboys pick 20th.
That could’ve been something the Cowboys talked about on Monday during their dinner with Hill.
“We had some laughs, some talk, some football,” Hill said.
And some smothered chicken, too.
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