Texas LB Ty'Anthony Smith Leaves Team — Here's How the Longhorns Could Adjust

In a shocking move on Friday, Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith left the team, according to reports from OrangeBloods.com's Anwar Richardson.

The loss of Smith leaves a gaping hole in an already thin Longhorns linebacker room for Texas, which will now be searching for answers to replace his depth and production.

So with that in mind, what could the Texas depth chart look like at linebacker after Smith's exit? Here is our projection:

WILL

Texas Longhorns linebacker Rasheem Biles speaking to the media. | Zach Dimmitt, Texas Longhorns on SI

Starter: Rasheem Biles
Backup: Tyler Atkinson
Third team: Darius Snow OR Markus Boswell

Two weeks into camp, Rasheem Biles is everything the Longhorns hoped he would be - an explosive sideline-to-sideline playmaker who can do it all. He rushes the passer, he plays well in coverage and he is elite against the run. There is not a thing on the field that Biles can't do. He is going to have an All-American-type season.

Behind him will be interesting. Smith would have fit it here, as well as some other packages, but now, true freshman Tyler Atkinson could get his opportunity to shine. He has all the tools, he just needs to learn the scheme and get more comfortable. Snow will be depth a piece with experience in our book, while Boswell is a long term development.

MIKE

Florida State Seminoles linebacker Justin Cryer reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston College Eagles | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Starter: Justin Cryer
Backup: Brad Spence
Third Team: Rocky Cummings

Justin Cryer has had a fantastic camp for the Longhorns and has a stranglehold on the starting MIKE spot for Will Muschamp. He is already very proficient in the scheme and keeps his teammates in the right spots, but he is also very physical and will thud with the best of them.

Cryer isn't Anthony Hill, but they don't need him to be. Brad Spence would probably fill in for Cryer in a pinch. Rocky Cummings is the young up-and-comer who has impressed and earned himself a look.

SAM

Texas Longhorns defensive end Brad Spence sacks Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Starter: Brad Spence
Backup: Kosi Okpala

Brad Spence might be the most versatile linebacker on the defense not named Rasheem Biles in terms of his ability to play and excel at multiple positions. He will hop around the defense depending on where they need him, whether it's rushing the passer, playing SAM or filling in elsewhere.

He plays the physical style of football that Will Muschamp wants, and that this team needs. Kosi Okpala is young and a bit raw, but incredibly talented in his own right. He has surprised so far in camp and could play in a pinch.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.

Add us as a preferred source on Google