Came across this on ESPN this morning:

Quote

A debate has emerged about Hill's best position. At Texas, he plays primarily as an off-ball linebacker, but the 6-3, 235-pound defender produced eight sacks last season with some elite blitzing skills. On 80 snaps as an edge rusher, he produced 11 pressures, and he has the body type to add the necessary weight to play in space on the end of the line.

"Hill is definitely getting drafted as an edge," a longtime NFL scout said. "He's a great linebacker, but he's too valuable coming off the corner and getting the quarterback. I just hope Texas lets him do more of it this year."

The article goes on to say that Hill has a chance to be a top five pick in the next draft.

Article is here:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/45772397/2026-nfl-draft-top-prospects-quarterback-edge-rusher-cornerback

Our pass rush is going to be dirty. Sayin’ “hello” against Ohio State. 

There is a little shout out to Taaffe in the article

I actually see him more as an EDGE rather than an edge, but OK.  We have lots of pash rushers at both JACK and BUCK plus Trey Moore at WLB....lot of pass-rushing mouths to feed for Hill to get lots of snaps as an EDGE.  But bringing in Spence at MLB could free up Hill for some unique packages.

3 minutes ago, Tex555 said:

There is a little shout out to Taaffe in the article

Yep! For those who don't wanna read the whole thing...

Thieneman, Michael Taaffe (Texas) and other very talented safeties would be candidates for the top spot in most years, but Downs is a rare prospect holding it down as the top safety and No. 1 overall player in the class.

Seems like someone is sleeping on Colin Simmons… that’s cool. His play will do the talking. Maybe they are only discussing draft elgible…

2 minutes ago, Blake Munroe said:

Yep! For those who don't wanna read the whole thing...

Thieneman, Michael Taaffe (Texas) and other very talented safeties would be candidates for the top spot in most years, but Downs is a rare prospect holding it down as the top safety and No. 1 overall player in the class.

Downs has improved since Bama, but not that much.  Not buying the hype.

We've got some crazy pass rush capabilities this year. Hill, Spence, Moore, Simmons and hell even Burke. With the guys we added at the interior from the portal, plus a guy like January, they are going to cause a lot of teams fits. 

I also forgot that Hill was 6'3 235, lord almighty lol. 

9 minutes ago, Sundancekid said:

Seems like someone is sleeping on Colin Simmons… that’s cool. His play will do the talking. Maybe they are only discussing draft elgible…

Yes. It's for next year's draft. Draft eligible only.

No reason to stay at Texas for Anthony if he’s a top ten pick in 2026.  Go make the big money

Texas 16 - 0, got it.

I would agree. Hes a better edge than LB but hes still a great LB. 

I see him as a true 4-3 OLB who can slide inside if the D goes nickel. Anyone remember Jack Ham?

I think he's really good rushing between the tackles.

Simmons and hill on the edge plus Spence and moore coming from linebacker is nasty work.  4 legit pass rushers coming from any angle

 

2 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

Yep! For those who don't wanna read the whole thing...

Thieneman, Michael Taaffe (Texas) and other very talented safeties would be candidates for the top spot in most years, but Downs is a rare prospect holding it down as the top safety and No. 1 overall player in the class.

that blows my mind they see Taaffe like that

Hill doesn't play a premium position, but he's a premium player. He can be the cornerstone of an NFL defense for the next decade.

On 7/25/2025 at 10:51 AM, A-10HORN said:

that blows my mind they see Taaffe like that

Maybe you should try watching our games.  😉

On 7/26/2025 at 3:03 PM, cochamps said:

Maybe you should try watching our games.  😉

I watch man.  I think most sites have Taaffe as a mid round guy

On 7/28/2025 at 11:01 PM, A-10HORN said:

I watch man.  I think most sites have Taaffe as a mid round guy

Yah, safeties aren't typically drafted very high.  If you think Taafe is a mid round guy, we and don't view him much differently.  I read your post more as "Taafe is a spare" and I don't think he should be compared to top safeties.

On 7/25/2025 at 11:00 AM, Jeff Howe said:

Hill doesn't play a premium position, but he's a premium player. He can be the cornerstone of an NFL defense for the next decade.

Too bad for some of us…..it’ll likely be as a Philadelphia Eagle. 

6 hours ago, cochamps said:

Yah, safeties aren't typically drafted very high.  If you think Taafe is a mid round guy, we and don't view him much differently.  I read your post more as "Taafe is a spare" and I don't think he should be compared to top safeties.

not at all. Taaffe is great and one of the most valuable players we have on our defense 

Ant is on that Micah Parsons trajectory. Super versatile, but getting in the backfield and to the QB pays the bills at the next level. 

Think the scout is right here.