Arguably the most impressive recruiting position group for the Texas Longhorns, the 2023 linebacker position is stacked. After a recruiting cycle that lacked numbers and immediate contributors in 2022 for the linebacker position, Jeff Choate and Steve Sarkisian made the linebacker position a priority in 2023. Texas’ 2023 linebacker recruits should get every Longhorns fan excited for the future of the Forty Acres.
Texas 2023 Linebacker Recruits
Anthony Hill Jr.
6’-2” 225lbs.
Anthony Hill is looked at as the prized possession of Texas’ 2023 defensive recruiting class, for good reason. If it weren’t for probably the most high profile recruit anyone will ever see, Arch Manning, Anthony Hill would have been the prized possession of this entire recruiting class.
Strengths
- Pursuit
- Physical Strength
- Stacking & Shedding
- Awareness
Anthony Hill’s pursuit of ball carriers is special. It’s a great sign of his effort and it allows him to be very opportunistic when forcing turnovers. He is constantly trying to rip the ball out of the ball carriers hands when he’s the second defender to the play while assisting the tackle. His elite awareness also plays well with his constant effort. He is consistently around the play when someone else forces a fumble, therefore always in a position to secure the turnover.
Hill’s overall physical strength was very apparent in high school. He was able to stack and shed offensive linemen at the second level of the defense easily to make the play in run defense. At his absolute floor, Hill should be a great run defender at the power-five level.
Hill will most likely be an immediate starter for the Longhorns. However, the jump in competition as a true freshman will be steep. Longhorns fans should be patient on just how much of an impact he has at the beginning of his tenure on the Forty Acres.
S’Maje Burrell
6’-0” 215lbs.
S’Maje Burrell is an incredible athlete out of Fort Worth, Texas. He has also been very productive. He tallied 80 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 passes defensed in his final season at North Crowley high school.
Strengths
- Speed
- Athleticism
- Lateral Quickness
S’Maje Burrell’s pure athleticism coupled with his quick trigger and violent tackling will make him very productive on the Forty Acres. Although seemingly undersized for the linebacker position, Burrell’s athleticism and violent style of play should be perfect compliments to linebackers like Jaylan Ford and Anthony Hill. Both are more of the traditional size for an off-ball linebacker.
Liona Lefau
6’-1” 210lbs.
The number one player coming out of Hawaii, Liona Lefau will bring more than just his talents to the Forty Acres. Lefau choosing Texas over classic Hawaiian recruit destinations like Utah, Oregon, and USC is a huge win for Texas. Already aiding in the recruitment of Tausili Akana (another Hawaiian born recruit in this 2023 class), Lefau could be the first of a long pipeline from Hawaii to the Forty Acres.
Strengths
- Slipping Blocks
- Closing Speed
- Pass Coverage
Liona Lefau is another incoming linebacker who uses speed and quickness to his advantage. Lefau, like Burrell, is slightly undersized for a traditional linebacker. However, his ability to slip passed blockers and make plays should alleviate any worries about hit size for the position in the run game.
Liona Lefau’s work in coverage is a very impressive part of his game as well. His ability to gain proper depth and cut off potential passing lanes is evident throughout his tape. Lefau, being a former tight end, also possesses great ball skills.
Derion Gullette
6’-2” 220lbs.
Derion Gullette is an interesting prospect as he arrives on the Forty Acres. Gullette sustained a knee injury prior to his senior season at Teague high school after transferring from Marlin after his Junior year. He is currently still rehabbing his injury. Although raw, Gullette has the potential to be a special player for the Texas Longhorns.
Strengths
- Big Hitter
- Moves Well in Space
- Overall Great Athlete
Derion Gullette is an incredible athlete. Playing most notably as a linebacker, Gullette played wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball at Marlin as well. He is listed as an edge defender for most recruiting websites. However, he has the chance to be a special hybrid edge/linebacker at the next level.
With Gullette’s raw athletic ability and experience as both a wide receiver and edge/linebacker, it’s hard not to compare him to 2019 five-star recruit Ja’Tavion Sanders. Gullette may be what Sanders would’ve looked like if he had chosen to play defense instead of tight end.
Factoring in missing an entire season with the knee injury, the stacked linebacker and edge defender rooms at Texas currently, and the jump in level of play, it would not be a surprise to see Derion Gullette redshirt for one season as he gets his body back to full strength while also sharpening his skills. However, I could also see special teams coordinator Jeff Banks advocating to get Gullette on his units due to his speed and ability to hit with force.
Texas’ 2023 Linebacker Recruits Overall Summary
The Texas 2023 linebacker recruits brought in by Jeff Choate are incredibly impressive. All four of these players compliment each other incredibly well. Anthony Hill and Derion Gullette provide raw power along with impressive athleticism. S’Maje Burrell and Liona Lefau give this room a lot of speed and quickness in the middle of the field.
Overall, I could see all four of these players playing significant roles as sophomores and juniors. Jeff Choate and the Texas Longhorns will probably be able to take it easy in the 2024 recruiting cycle when it comes to adding true off-ball linebackers. However, I still anticipate they add at least one next year as well, even if it’s a lower star prospect they think they can develop in two to three years time. Similar to what Kyle Flood has done with the offensive line in this cycle.
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