We now know why third-year linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith was dismissed from Texas Longhorns football on Friday evening. After Saturday’s team scrimmage, UT coach Steve Sarkisian said it was for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Smith played in 28 games over the past two seasons, making one start in 2025. He finished last season with 60 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
His two interceptions in the Longhorns’ 41-27 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win over Michigan in January seemingly left the Jasper, Texas, native poised to be a probable starter in 2026. But new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp typically values size more than speed in his 4-3 system, and it was becoming evident Smith would not be a starter to begin the season.
After Saturday’s scrimmage, Steve Sarkisian addressed the situation.
“He was dismissed,” Sarkisian said. “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’s dismissal comes two weeks from the start of the 2026 season for the Longhorns against the Texas State Bobcats, which is certainly not an ideal time to lose a player with nearly 30 games of experience. Sarkisian said he will be missed.
“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. You want as many healthy, good players as you can have at every position,” Sarkisian said.
Now it will be largely up to the younger linebackers (such as freshmen Tyler Atkinson, Kosi Okpala and Rocky Cummings) on the team to step up.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas LB Ty’Anthony Smith dismissed for ‘conduct detrimental to team’
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
