Texas Dismisses Linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith

Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian announced Saturday that junior linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith has been dismissed from the program for conduct detrimental to the team. "He was dismissed, conduct detrimental to the team," Sarkisian told reporters, as reported by Bleacher Report. "That's just what it is. I didn't like it. It's an unfortunate situation for him individually. Again, 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, who played two seasons with the Longhorns, ranked fifth on the team last season with 60 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions in 13 games. He started in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan, recording nine tackles and two interceptions, according to the New York Post. He had undergone shoulder surgery earlier in the offseason.

Smith had been competing for a starting linebacker spot alongside transfers Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh) and Justin Cryer (Florida State). Sarkisian noted that the Longhorns will often use a nickel defense requiring just two linebackers, per Bleacher Report. With Smith's departure, Biles and Cryer are the most likely starters at those spots. Sarkisian said, "Guys are going to have to grow into certain roles," as quoted by the New York Post, adding that the base package will feature the right personnel, though snap counts will depend on the opponent.

The dismissal complicates the job of new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, according to the New York Post. Texas was ranked fifth in the Associated Press preseason poll and opens the season against Texas State on Sept. 5.

Smith missed last Saturday's scrimmage due to illness, with absences from practice before that, as reported by Bleacher Report. The New York Post noted he had the flu and returned to practice this week before being dismissed Friday night. Smith had three seasons of eligibility remaining.

OrangeBloods.com's Anwar Richardson initially reported that Smith was "no longer with the team" as of Friday afternoon, and a Texas spokesperson confirmed to reporters that Smith was no longer with the program as of Friday night, per Horns247's Eric C. Henry, according to Bleacher Report.

Father of Freshman Cornerback Posts Rant

Adding to the team's off-field concerns, Hayward Howard Sr., father of true freshman cornerback Hayward Howard Jr., posted an expletive-filled rant on X on August 22, threatening to "expose" the program. The post, as quoted by Essentially Sports and Sports Illustrated, read: "A LOT OF BULL SHIT GOING ON AT TEXAS AS A PARENT, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED. I DID NOT PLAY THE POLITIC GAMES MY SON PLAY FOOTBALL AND HE DOES IT VERY WELL !!! ITS A LOT OF SHIT GOING ON YALL DONT KNOW AND I'M ABOUT TO EXPOSE THIS SHIT."

Howard Sr. tagged Texas media handles @orangebloods_ and @CJVogel_OTF in the post. The rant came after Texas' second major closed scrimmage of fall camp, during which Howard Jr. did not get snaps with the starting units, according to Essentially Sports. Howard Sr., a former defensive tackle at Ole Miss, expressed disappointment, while insiders suggested the outburst could be counterproductive for his son.

Howard Jr., a four-star freshman cornerback from New Orleans who led Edna Karr to an undefeated season and a state championship, had multiple pass breakups during the spring game, as reported by multiple outlets. He was rated a top-30 cornerback nationally by 247Sports and a top-ten player in Louisiana by Rivals, per Essentially Sports, which also noted that Texas had to fend off LSU for his recruitment.

Insiders confirmed no relation between Smith's dismissal and Howard Jr.'s situation, according to Essentially Sports.

Scrimmage Highlights

In the scrimmage that preceded the social media post, Texas wrapped up its second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday. Sarkisian praised the defense, which created four takeaways and included a highlight-reel interception return for a touchdown by freshman linebacker Kosi Okpala, who tipped the ball to himself before scoring, as reported by Sports Illustrated. Wide receiver Emmett Mosley V caught two touchdown passes, one from Arch Manning, who Sarkisian said was "a little bit inefficient" despite the scores. The coach described the offense as "too sloppy" with "too many errors occurring," while noting the defense "really showed up ready to go today."

The Longhorns are two weeks away from opening the season against Texas State.