3 Linebackers Texas Should Target in Transfer Portal After Ty'Anthony Smith's Exit

The Texas Longhorns suffered a notable roster loss on Friday when the program announced that linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith has been dismissed from the team after two years in Austin. This leaves Texas with some questions about linebacker depth two weeks from the start of the 2026 season.

Instead of having to put added pressure on the shoulders of talented true freshmen Tyler Atkinson and Kosi Okpala to step up in an increased role, the Longhorns would be better off by going into the portal and addng some experience. There's no doubt these two will still have an impact, but Smith's departure now creates a numbers issue for the roster.

After all, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said during the spring that the linebacker position was "a little bit of a concern" due to the lack of returner starters. With Smith now gone, that

We've seen Texas make some late portal additions to address depth in the past, including right before the 2024 season with SMU running back Velton Gardner, so here are three linebackers the Longhorns should target if they want to take a similar approach.

Jaden Mosley, Samford

Mosley has made it clear on social media that he's still seeking another year of eligibility since he started his career off at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas as a 2022 recruit.

Though his production at Samford came against many lower-tier FCS programs, it's hard to ignore some of the numbers.

Last season, he led the Bulldogs in total tackles (104) while adding 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. This was highlighted by tallying 12 total tackles against Baylor and 10 total tackles against Texas A&M.

During the 2024 campaign, Mosley had 75 total tackles (43 solo), 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and an interception.

In 2023, he had 62 total tackles (31 solo), 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, but his most notable play came when he had an interception on the road against Auburn.

Mosley would bring experience to the Texas linebacker depth chart, if of course he's able to gain another year of eligibility before the season.

Darius Thomas, Oklahoma State

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian runs across the field during warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Thomas was productive at Western Kentucky in 2024, posting 54 total tackles (30 solo), four sacks and one forced fumble. As a result, he entered the portal and committed to Louisville for the 2025 season.

However, he spurned the Cardinals last offseason and instead joined Oklahoma State, but entered the transfer portal after Mike Gundy was fired having never appeared in a game for the Cowboys.

Thomas was one of the better linebackers in Conference USA during his time at Western Kentucky. He missed all of 2023 due to injury and has one year of eligibility left.

In his career, he's played in 21 games while tallying 63 total tackles, the aforementioned four sacks, two pass breakups and one interception return for a touchdown.

Ke'Breion Winston, Baylor

Baylor Bears linebacker Ke'Breion Winston (44) and his teammates run onto the field before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at McLane Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Unlike Thomas and Mosley, Winston would be much more of a depth piece to help with personnel numbers instead of being a pure second-team replacement for Smith. A Lancaster, TX native, he simply didn't have the production during his freshman year at Baylor to justify notable playing time at the SEC level, as he appeared in just four games while posting two tackles.

That said, the Longhorns showed that they're no stranger when it comes to adding practice squad-like players when they brought in linebacker Darius Snow (Michigan State) and cornerback Nick Hudson (Brown). Though he doesn't have the experience, Winston could be a similar addition.

As a three-star recruit in the 2025 class, he received offers from teams like Houston, Arkansas, SMU, Illinois, Arizona State, Cal, Boston College, Memphis and more.

The Longhorns already brought three Texas natives back to the state via the portal with Snow, Markus Boswell and Justin Cryer this offseason. What's one more?

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