OTF Premium What's next for Texas at linebacker after Ty'Anthony Smith's departure? | Friday, 7:05 p.m.

[NTXHornsFan]

@Jeff Howeis it out of the realm of possibilities that Smith could get this all straightened out and be welcomed back to Texas at some point in the future?

[Jose Waring]

What do we think about Trent Hendrick from JMU?

[MBHORNSFAN]

24 minutes ago, Roy Hinojosa said:

Damn, this sucks

I'll trust Sark. I'm sure dismissing him was not an easy decision  

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, NTXHornsFan said:

@Jeff Howeis it out of the realm of possibilities that Smith could get this all straightened out and be welcomed back to Texas at some point in the future?

I don't see it at this point.

[Alex Butler]

11 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

All I'll say is that folks who assumed this was simply a disgruntled player walking out on his team jumped the gun with that line of thinking.

Really sad to hear for this young man and the team. I hope whatever is going on with him gets sorted out and he’s able to finish his career and get a great education! Wishing the best for him and whatever he’s dealing with. 

[TexasMDcoach]

24 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

Maybe, but there's also a chance that plan C isn't significantly better than the in-house options.

This. 

[McTexas7]

10 minutes ago, BurntOrangeHorn said:

If Ty was dismissed, my bet is on never!

🤘🏻🤘🏼🤘🤘🏽🤘🏾🤘🏿

Yeah, very possible.

[Jeff Howe]

2 minutes ago, Jose Waring said:

What do we think about Trent Hendrick from JMU?

He could be headed to UCLA to play for Bob Chesney.

It might be too late in the game for Texas to get involved. I have no idea what Hendrick would want for NIL either.

[watty7796]

Seems that Texas has had a rough go of it at LB.  Liona Lafau, Bo Barnes l, and now T. Smith.  Is there something deeper going on in that position room?

Edited August 22 by watty7796

[Texas fan in Georgia]

BRADY SARKISIAN MENTION!!

[Jeff Howe]

FWIW, the official word from Texas is that Smith has been dismissed from the team.

[Brho]

2 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

FWIW, the official word from Texas is that Smith has been dismissed from the team.

Well you can’t just not go to practice. Consequences 

[Califashorn75]

We shouldn't speculate. With 105 dudes on a roster, I am surprised this doesn't happen more often. Coach Vic made the Final Four and yet three youngsters who played a lot, quit on Texas. You just never know what goes on behind closed doors. 

[Alex Butler]

5 minutes ago, Texas fan in Georgia said:

BRADY SARKISIAN MENTION!!

Defensive POY in the SEC I’m calling it right now!! 

[Alex Butler]

5 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

FWIW, the official word from Texas is that Smith has been dismissed from the team.

This is a crazy saga, and really concerned how this might impact the team culture this close to the season starting?! By all accounts he was a great teammate and good kid. Heck he was even one of the first players to do media this camp if memory serves. Its really hard not to want to pry abd get more answers about this whole thing!

[Panzerfaust]

If (when) an injury occurs to the Linebacker rotation during the season, Muschamp would plug-in one of the very talented younger Linebackers that is already on the team.  At least the benefit now is that those un-tested Linebackers will have the rest of Fall Camp to get their head right with being counted on to come in to fill a gap, instead of trying to do so during the season…if that makes sense.

Regardless, I’m so very optimistic about the Longhorn defense doing very well this season.

[Panzerfaust]

…and thank you Jeff for riding herd on this story.

[Jeff Howe]

1 minute ago, Alex Butler said:

This is a crazy saga, and really concerned how this might impact the team culture this close to the season starting?! By all accounts he was a great teammate and good kid. Heck he was even one of the first players to do media this camp if memory serves. Its really hard not to want to pry abd get more answers about this whole thing!

I don't think it's a coincidence that when Colin Simmons was naming defensive leaders yesterday, two of the three he mentioned were Biles and Cryer. I don't think this will hurt the culture. Will some guys be hurt by what's happened? Sure, that's expected. But if this team is as focused as they say they are, this one moment won't cause the culture to falter.

[Jeff Howe]

37 minutes ago, McTexas7 said:

Will it be days, weeks, months, or years before we get the actual answer on what was going on here? @Jeff Howe

The official word is that he was dismissed. I think it's best to leave it at that.

[Jeff Howe]

34 minutes ago, CoachScott619 said:

I know Jonah doesn't want to play LB but he could be an option as a Nickel LB in obvious passing downs. Or we could put McDonald in that role if Black and Jonah are ready to go at safety.

The bigger nickel Muschamp prefers just got a whole lot more important. It might be opponent-specific on when to go big at Star, but they've worked some of their bigger safeties there in camp.

[hookem1014]

LB depth is desperately needed for a 16 game season. I hope the staff goes the portal route. 

[kren]

I think with his departure we don’t have a single returning LB from last year. Reality in the NIL and portal era

[Alex Butler]

4 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

I don't think it's a coincidence that when Colin Simmons was naming defensive leaders yesterday, two of the three he mentioned were Biles and Cryer. I don't think this will hurt the culture. Will some guys be hurt by what's happened? Sure, that's expected. But if this team is as focused as they say they are, this one moment won't cause the culture to falter.

Good to know, thank goodness for Cryer and now missing a Bo Barnes a little bit. 

[TheRoJoShow]

Feel sorry for the young man. Wishing him the best. He is very talented. 

[Rocky P]

@Jeff Howe wasnt cunningham recruited as a lb/s?