Titans rookie Anthony Hill Jr. has chosen jersey number 53 after No. 0 was taken. He expresses a desire to meet and watch tape with former Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck.
Key points
Anthony Hill Jr. chose jersey number 53 for the Titans.
No. 0 was taken by Calvin Ridley.
Hill wants to meet Keith Bulluck.
He aims to watch tape with Bulluck.
His career began with rookie minicamp on May 1.
Tennessee TitansAnthony Hill Jr.Calvin RidleyKeith Bulluck
Why Titans rookie Anthony Hill Jr. wants to meet, watch tape with Keith Bulluck
No. 0, what he wore at Texas, is already taken by wide receiver Calvin Ridley. The only linebacker-appropriate number left was No. 53.
Then Hill, whose Titans career officially began with rookie minicamp on May 1, looked up who'd already worn that number for Tennessee.
"That was one of the only numbers open, but then I did some research on the number (and saw) there was a legendary linebacker that wore it," Hill explained to reporters at Vanderbilt Health Football Center.
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
Q&A
Why did Anthony Hill Jr. choose jersey number 53 for the Titans?
Anthony Hill Jr. chose jersey number 53 because his preferred number, No. 0, is already taken by Calvin Ridley.
What does Anthony Hill Jr. want to learn from Keith Bulluck?
Anthony Hill Jr. wants to meet and watch tape with Keith Bulluck to gain insights and improve his game.
When did Anthony Hill Jr. officially start his career with the Titans?
Anthony Hill Jr. officially began his career with the Titans during rookie minicamp on May 1.
Who wore jersey number 53 before Anthony Hill Jr. on the Titans?
Anthony Hill Jr. looked up previous players who wore jersey number 53 for the Titans, although specific names were not mentioned in the excerpt.
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Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
Players and coaches hit the field during the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Titans hold camp for rookies and free agents at Nashville practice
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
1 / 4
Titans hold camp for rookies and free agents at Nashville practice
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
2 / 4
Titans hold camp for rookies and free agents at Nashville practice
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
3 / 4
Titans hold camp for rookies and free agents at Nashville practice
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
4 / 4
Titans hold camp for rookies and free agents at Nashville practice
Players and coaches hit the field during the Titans Rookie Camp Day 1 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 1, 2026.
That would be Keith Bulluck, who wore No. 53 for the Titans for 10 years (2000-09). He had more than 1,000 tackles, 18 sacks and 19 interceptions with the team, and was named All-Pro in 2003.
"I've got to hold up to the tradition," Hill said. "Just try to work hard every day and try to reach the level that he reached."
Hill, 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, had 249 tackles, including 31.5 for loss, and 17 sacks in 40 career games with the Longhorns. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi, who traded up from No. 69 to take Hill at No. 60 overall, described Hill as "the prototype linebacker in (new coach Robert Saleh's) defense."
"Long, fast, violence that we always talk about. We felt some teams ahead of us, there could be a chance that he goes, so we made a move to get the guy we wanted," Borgonzi said.
The description of Hill — athletic, violent, aggressive — sounds similar to that of Bulluck, who was picked in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Syracuse.
Hill is hoping to one day meet Bulluck. Go over some tape, learn tricks of the trade and get advice on how he can become legendary himself.
"I hope to kind of connect with him," Hill said. "I'm rocking his number now, so I've got to connect with him. See what he's talking about, watch some highlights. Get a good feel for him."
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.