(on playing for Robert Saleh and his history of developing linebackers)
I know one thing, he's a fast and physical football coach. So I'm excited to play for a defense and a DC that's going to be able to play fast and physical.
(on when he got the inclination that the Titans may be interested in drafting him)
I had a 30 visit with them actually. So when I kind of met the DC, I met the linebackers coach and I kind of met some of the staff and I feel like it was a great connection. I love the city. When I was out there I got to go around the city a little bit. So man, I just love the city. I'm so excited to be in Nashville.
(on his top-30 visit with the Titans)
Just kind of learning about myself, trying to get to know me. What is my moral compass? Just scheme stuff, trying to understand scheme, going through some of the scheme stuff they do, and it was pretty awesome getting to go through some of that stuff.
(on what he brings to the NFL after a productive college career)
Well, I think I bring versatility, and I bring a physical presence that a lot of people don't have. I feel like I'm a guy that's going to work hard and do his job and be a great teammate.
(on where his productive pass rush ability as an inside linebacker comes from)
I've been having great coaches and I played some edge as a younger—growing up, middle school, high school. So I had a pretty good job and understanding on how to do that stuff when I got to college. And I had great coaches that kind of helped me work through some of that stuff as well as doing linebacker stuff.
(on the additions the Titans have made on the defensive front since he was hired)
Man, you know I love playing with the big guys up front. I love playing with the big guys that's going to take up blocks so I can run free and make the plays. So I love playing with big and physical linemen like that. I love playing with big physical lineman that are going to just make my job a lot easier.
(on how playing at Texas has prepared him for Robert Saleh's defense)
Yeah, so I'm actually—I'm a big football fan, so I'm kind of excited to play for a guy like him because I know his resume. I know what he did with other linebackers. Bobby Wagner, some of those guys in the past, Fred (Warner) and (Dre) Greenlaw. So I'm excited to play with a guy that I know is going to focus on the linebackers and he's going to make sure I'm developed to the best in my ability.
(on if he can be developed from a good linebacker into a great one for the Titans)
I just really want to just come in and focus on working on my details and working on my craft and just taking it wherever it leads me. So I know he's going to develop me. So I'm going to be all ears. I'm ready to learn and I'm ready to be coached.
(on where he watched the Draft and where he is now)
So I was sitting in there—I got a nice little venue because I wanted to invite a good amount of family and friends. So once I got that call, I kind of had to separate out and get in the car to get a little bit more space, a little more quiet.
(on who is in the car with him)
That's my dad right there.
(on what this moment is like for his father)
ANTHONY HILL SR.: A blessing, man. We've been working for a long time for this. Since five years old. I'm so proud of him. He worked hard to be in this moment.
(on how much he knows about the Titans and Tennessee)
ANTHONY HILL SR.: I got a lot of family in Memphis and a lot them are here tonight. So, he is going to have a lot of support. We know a lot about the Titans. (Steve) McNair. We're blessed to be here.
(on linebackers he models his game after)
I watched a lot of (DeMarvion) Overshown, and I watched a lot of Edgerrin Cooper, and of course I watched some Bobby Wagner. Those are three guys I kind of watched and always kind of modeled my game after.
(on the pride he takes in being the green dot on the field at Texas and how prepared he feels to do so in Tennessee)
I took a lot of pride in being able to do some of that stuff. I did it for two years, so I'm capable of doing it. And if it calls for it, I'm ready to do it. I feel like it takes a lot of hard work and preparation to do it, but I feel I'm up for the challenge if called to be.
(on where he expected to be drafted)
It was a little longer than I expected, but I'm just happy to be here. I'm happy to be a Titan and I'm to be picked. So yeah, nothing to really complain about on my end.
(on the possibility of focusing more on coverage than blitzing if that's how it pans out)
I want to just say that I want to contribute that to how versatile I am. I feel like I do a good job of making plays and running sideline to sideline. So just being able to be versatile and just trying to get better at that. So I would say that contributes to that and how versatile I am and I feel like I'm capable of being less of a blitzer and more of an off-the-ball linebacker.
(on if he knew he was born in the same hospital as Barry Sanders)
Yep, I did.
(on if he has met Barry Sanders and if anyone else has come out of Wichita, Kansas)
I don't know a lot of people that came from there. But I've never met Barry (Sanders) and hopefully one day I get to meet him.
(on if his game is versatile enough to translate to the NFL)
Yes, I feel like that's something that I really want to focus on. Again, I want to kind of be all ears and kind of learn and develop between the guys in front of me, guys like Cody Barton and some of those guys. I want to kind of learn from them, develop and whenever my name's called, I'll be ready to go.
(on how he was able to get his hands on the ball so many times in college in the form of takeaways)
Just really focus on it and develop it. It's something that I've done a good job of doing since I was a young age. So just being able to go to high school and continue to work it and continue to get better at it is something I really tried to focus on. And it's something, knowing I'm with a defensive head coach, that they're going to help me take the next level at as well.
(on Cedric Gray and the Titans linebacker group)
I wouldn't say—right now I'm not too familiar with him. So that's somebody that, of course, I'm going to have to connect with and learn from. I'm really more familiar with (Cody) Barton since I kind of grew up watching him a little bit more since he was with Seattle. So I'm kind of excited to just kind of meet all the guys in the LB room and just learn from them.
