Hill is the Longhorns‘ leading tackler with 69, despite missing last week’s game against Arkansas.
With the junior sidelined with an undisclosed injury suffered Nov. 15 against Georgia, Texas struggled to contain the Razorbacks’ offense. Arkansas rushed for 188 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt in the most efficient rushing performance allowed by the Longhorn defense in three seasons.
A potential first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, Hill is also an important factor in a Texas pass rush that ranks third in the country in sacks. He’s gotten to the quarterback four times this season, and has 17 sacks over the course of a three-year collegiate career.
Hill’s status for Friday’s game is important now that his backup, Ty’Anthony Smith, is suspended for the first half after picking up a targeting penalty against Arkansas.
The Aggies and Longhorns are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. on ABC.