Anthony Hill Jr. is quickly learning the sacrifices needed to make it in the NFL.
The Tennessee Titans rookie linebacker's latest concession? His favorite candy.
"I'm a big candy person, so I had to cut off the Mike and Ike's and all that stuff," Hill said after training camp practice on Aug. 4. "I cut it off and it worked. It's hard, but it's better for yourself."
Speaking to the media at Vanderbilt Health Football Center, he explained his new eating habits since being selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Cutting back on candy, cooking his own meals and eating out less are all part of caring for his body in between practices.
"Just be a pro, get recovery, and do all the little stuff that helps you on the field," he said. "And it worked."
Hill reported having lost six to seven pounds since changing his eating habits. Among his new favorite meals to cook are chicken fried rice, smothered chicken and beef tacos.
"It takes a lot of time," he said. "I don't like doing the dishes, but it's worked out."
Hill, a 6-foot-2 and 238-pound middle linebacker, has a unique combination of size and speed that makes him an excellent defensive prospect. In three years for the Texas Longhorns, he had 249 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and three interceptions.
At practice on Aug. 4, Hill made two interceptions off quarterback Mitch Trubisky. It was one of Hill's best performances in the early days of training camp, and he can't help but wonder if cutting down candy did the trick.
"I like sweets, so I had to limit myself," he said. "Like maybe I (eat it) once a week, not three. Little small details like that and it worked."
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: No more Mike and Ike? Titans rookie Anthony Hill Jr. cutting candy, learning to cook
