Texas LB Ty’Anthony Smith dismissed from program

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd August, 16:48 2026

Jul 23, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Texas linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith has been dismissed from the program due to conduct detrimental to the team, coach Steve Sarkisian said Saturday.

Smith appeared in all 16 games in the 2024 season as a freshman for the Longhorns, notching 16 tackles (eight solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, a half sack, and an interception in a blowout win over Florida. He played 12 games during his sophomore season, including his first career start in the Citrus Bowl win over Michigan. Smith's 60 tackles (39 solo) ranked fifth on the team. He had 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

He had returned to practice this week but missed the Aug. 15 scrimmage with the flu, according to Sarkisian. On Friday evening, a Texas spokesman announced that Smith had been dismissed.

"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."

Two transfer linebackers, Rasheem Biles from Pitt and Justin Cryer from Florida State, were competing with Smith for a starting job.

The linebacker corps will have a different look this season following the departures of Anthony Hill Jr. and Trey Moore for the NFL and Liona Lefau's transfer to Colorado.

"Guys are going to have to grow into certain roles," Sarkisian said. "I think when we do want to go into our base package that we've got the right people on the field."

--Field Level Media

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