University of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed on Saturday that senior linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith has been dismissed from the Longhorn football program. Sarkisian said the decision was driven by conduct that was detrimental to the team, emphasizing that the program must prioritize the collective good over any individual player.
Smith entered the Longhorns as a highly touted freshman in 2024, appearing in all 16 games that season. He recorded 16 tackles, including eight solo stops, 1.5 tackles for loss, a half sack and an interception in a dominant win over Florida. The following year, his sophomore campaign saw him start for the first time in the Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan. Over 12 games, Smith logged 60 tackles (39 solo), ranking fifth on the team, along with 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
According to Sarkisian, Smith returned to practice earlier this week but missed the August 15 scrimmage after coming down with the flu. The dismissal was announced by a Texas spokesperson on Friday evening. “I didn’t like it,” Sarkisian said. “It’s an unfortunate situation for him individually. For us as a team, I hate that. He’s a quality player, but I have to think about the team first.”
Impact on the linebacker corps
The loss of Smith creates a vacancy in a linebacker group already undergoing change. Two transfer linebackers—Rasheem Biles from the University of Pittsburgh and Justin Cryer from Florida State—were already competing for starting roles. Additionally, the unit will see the departure of Anthony Hill Jr. and Trey Moore, who have moved on to the NFL, and Liona Lefau, who transferred to Colorado.
Sarkisian noted that the remaining players will need to step up and grow into new responsibilities. “Guys are going to have to grow into certain roles,” he said. “When we go into our base package, we need the right people on the field.”
Looking ahead
With the season approaching, the Longhorns will rely on the depth and development of younger players to fill the gap left by Smith. The coaching staff expects the competition among the remaining linebackers and the incoming transfers to intensify, potentially reshaping the defensive strategy for the upcoming schedule.
While Smith’s dismissal is a setback for a player who showed promise early in his college career, the decision underscores the program’s commitment to maintaining discipline and team cohesion. Fans and alumni will be watching closely as the Longhorns adjust their defensive lineup and prepare for the next phase of the season.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
