The Longhorns linebacker is no longer with the team just days before the first game week of the season.
The Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian dismissed linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith from the program last week in what the coach called an "unfortunate" situation.
"He was dismissed," Sarkisian said to reporters. "Conduct detrimental to the team, and that’s just what it is. I didn't like it. It's an unfortunate situation. I hate that. For us as a team, I hate that. He's a quality player, but I have to think about the team first."
Smith, a rising junior and native of Jasper, Texas, appeared in 13 games last season and posted career-highs in total tackles (60), tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (2).
In Texas' most recent game, a win over Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Smith received his first start of his career with the Longhorns.
With All-American linebacker Anthony Hill departing to the NFL, Smith was expected to assume a starting spot in 2026, but Texas hit the transfer portal hard, notably luring Pitt star Rasheem Biles and Florida State's Justin Cryer.
Smith's Texas career ends after appearing in 29 games with 76 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions.
Texas and new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp now must figure out how to adjust the depth of the unit, which is expected to remain one of the best in the SEC.
"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. How many snaps a game that is really is depending on the opponent."
Texas begins its season on Sep. 5 at home against Texas State. A major test awaits in Week 2 as the Longhorns welcome preseason No. 1-ranked Ohio State to Austin.
"From a linebacker perspective, when you really think about it, and you think about the amount of nickel you really play in season and what that looks like, you're thinking about two backers the majority of time on the field," Sarkisian said. "You want as many healthy, good players as you can have at every position."
The coach praised Cryer, who made 43 tackles and one sack last year for the Seminoles in his third year of college football.
"[Cryer] is squeezing every ounce of juice that he can out of this opportunity to be at Texas, and it's greatly appreciated," Sarkisian said. "I think it serves as a great model for a lot of the other transfers. This guy didn't wait and feel it out to 'Where do I fit in?' He's gone for it. And I think he's reaping the benefits of it. He's playing at a high level for us right now."
The linebacker group also includes second-year player Brad Spence, Darius Snow and Markus Boswell.
