Texas Longhorns LB Ty'Anthony Smith Leaves Team in Shocking Move

The Texas Longhorns are losing a notable member of their defense in the middle of fall camp.

Texas linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith has left the program, per reports from Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods. He spent two seasons with the Longhorns after arriving as a member of the 2024 recruiting class.

The move comes right before the team's second fall scrimmage. Smith didn't participate in the first scrimmage due to the flu. His absence originally had fans speculating if something bigger was at play, and now the worst has been realized.

Why Ty'Anthony Smith is Leaving Texas

Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith (26) celebrates after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will likely comment on Smith's reported departure following the team's second fall scrimmage on Saturday afternoon, but it's best not to expect him to elaborate any further. A standard "we wish him well" statement is what Sarkisian will likely give before shifting focus to the current players on the roster.

Fans might never know exactly why Smith is leaving the program but there are some obvious signs as to why.

The emergence of Florida State linebacker Justin Cryer during fall camp has challenged Smith's starting job at MIKE linebacker, something that not many saw coming.

Smith was seen as the likely starter alongside Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles, but after missing the spring following shoulder surgery, Smith took some time to ramp up in fall camp and appears to have fallen behind in the rotation as a result.

This allowed Cryer to build momentum, and now there's little doubt that he'll be starting for Texas in the season opener against Texas State following Smith's reported departure.

Texas Has Other Linebackers Ready to Step Up

Florida State Seminoles linebacker Justin Cryer (28) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Longhorns added four new linebackers out of the portal this offseason. Longhorns defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said during the spring that the position was one that needed to prove itself, and it seems like both Cryer and Biles have took charge in doing exactly that.

Along with those two, the Longhorns brought in Akron transfer Markus Boswell and Michigan State transfer Darius Snow as depth pieces. Texas also returns Brad Spence, who had three sacks last season and is one of the more physically-imposing players on the roster.

Additionally, Texas has an enticing group of true freshmen linebackers in Tyler Atkinson, Kosi Okpala and Rocky Cummings, all of whom have received praise from both Sarkisian and their teammates during fall camp.

Losing a player like Smith, who has nearly 30 games of experience, right before the season isn't ideal but Texas has the numbers and the talent to make up for it.

Ty'Anthony Smith's Texas Career

Across two years at Texas, Smith appeared in 29 games (one start) while posting 76 total tackles (47 solo), 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups and three interceptions.

He appeared in all 16 games as a true freshman in 2024, which was highlighted by securing his first-career interception against Florida, but it wasn't until last season where he really started to prove himself.

Smith had 60 total tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles during the 2025 campaign, though it was his performance in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan that fans will remember the most. In a thrilling 41-27 win, Smith had two interceptions in the fourth quarter to help complete Texas' second-half rally.

It will be interesting to see where Smith will land with the start of the season only a week away.

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