Texas dismisses linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Saturday that linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith had been dismissed from the program for conduct detrimental to the team.

Smith appeared in 12 games last year and made his first career start against Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, recording nine tackles and two interceptions. For the season, he had 60 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, with two sacks and two forced fumbles. He also played in all 17 games as a true freshman in 2024.

Smith had been competing with transfer linebackers Rasheem Biles of Pitt and Justin Cryer from Florida State for a starting job. He missed last Saturday's scrimmage with the flu, according to Sarkisian, and returned to practice this week before a Texas spokesman announced his dismissal 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."

New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will have a new-look linebacker group following the departures of Anthony Hill Jr. and Trey Moore to the NFL and Liona Lefau's transfer to Colorado. Sarkisian said guys will have to grow into certain roles and that snap counts in the base package will depend on the opponent. He also praised Cryer, a senior, saying he is playing at a high level and serves as a model for other transfers.