The Dick Butkus Award is given annually to the best linebacker in the nation. Since 2004, the only two Longhorns to take home the award were Derrick Johnson in 2004 and Sergio Kindle in 2009. Hill and Lefau are more than capable of ending that streak and now have added motivation.

Announced on Wednesday, two Alabama Crimson Tide linebackers have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Butkus Award. Those two players are returning starter Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, with the award presented annually to the nation's top linebacker.