Two Longhorns on the Rise: 2026 NFL Draft Forecasts for Anthony Hill Jr. and Trevor Goosby
Texas stars Anthony Hill Jr. and Trevor Goosby are rising NFL Draft prospects, with early projections linking Hill to the Texans and Goosby to the 49ers.
When evaluating the Texas Longhorns’ next wave of NFL talent, two names stand out from the pack: linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and offensive tackle Trevor Goosby. Their paths at Texas tell different stories — one built on immediate dominance, the other on gradual development — but both will enter the 2026 draft cycle with legitimate momentum.
Anthony Hill Jr.: The explosive linebacker with first-round upside
Hill’s rise has been swift and emphatic. A five-star recruit out of Denton, Texas, he arrived on campus and made an immediate impact. According to Bleacher Report’s draft profile, Hill posted 67 tackles as a freshman, including eight tackles for loss and five sacks. In 2024, he exploded with 113 tackles and 17 TFLs while earning national recognition.
NFLDraftBuzz projects him as a “day one starter” likely to land inside the top dozen picks, citing his “elite athletic profile” and versatility across linebacker alignments. Still, not every evaluator is convinced. Some scouts believe portions of his profile have been overhyped, and questions remain about whether his production will translate against NFL-caliber competition.
Hill’s 2026 stock will hinge on a few factors. He needs to maintain his tackling production while improving his coverage responsibilities, an area where he has shown potential, but not consistency. He also needs to avoid injury or any drop-off in his draft year, and most importantly, he must prove he can dominate in critical moments the way elite prospects do.
If Hill delivers, he is positioned to land in the first round. If he plateaus, his athletic traits will still make him a Day Two pick, but probably not top-10.
Trevor Goosby: The high-upside tackle still refining his craft
Goosby presents a different profile. At 6-7 and 312 pounds, the offensive lineman carries the size and tools that have scouts intrigued, but he still has refinement ahead of him. According to SportsTalk Substack, his ceiling is the “top offensive tackle spot in the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft.” NFLDraftBuzz calls him “worth a second-round investment” if he can refine his technique and reduce penalties.
Early mock drafts already have him creeping into the first round. One “Way-Too-Early” projection slots him to the New York Giants in the first round, reflecting his upside more than his current production.
Goosby’s projection will be determined by how much he develops over the next season. He needs to gain functional strength and polish his technique to compete against NFL-caliber edge rushers. He also needs to clean up penalties and show consistency across a full season. Most critically, he must prove he can lock down the blindside in high-stakes matchups against elite competition.
If Goosby delivers a strong 2025 season, he could emerge as a first-round pick. If not, second-round teams will still target him aggressively based on his physical tools alone.
What their departures mean for Texas
Texas faces significant roster turnover ahead of the 2026 cycle, and Hill and Goosby represent the highest-profile departures. Losing two players who project this highly will test the Longhorns’ depth and continuity, but it also signals the program’s upward trajectory in developing NFL-ready talent.
Hill is the immediate game-changer, the linebacker who already performs like a professional. Goosby is the long-term anchor, with tools that could develop into elite blindside protection. If both hit their ceilings, Texas will have sent two premium prospects into the NFL in the same cycle — a validation of the program’s recruiting and development infrastructure.
The verdict
Anthony Hill Jr. projects as a top-15 pick and a realistic first-round lock if he stays healthy and productive. Trevor Goosby carries mid-first-round upside with potential to crack the top-20, though a second-round selection remains realistic if he needs one more year of refinement.
Their stories are different. The outcomes might be very similar. And for the Longhorns, both are proof that the next wave is already here.
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