Texas junior linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith has been dismissed for conduct detrimental to the team, coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters Saturday. <\/p>\n
“He was dismissed, conduct detrimental to the team,” Sarkisian said (h\/t On3’s Tyler Horka<\/a>). “That’s just what it is. <\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n OrangeBloods.com’s Anwar Richardson<\/a> initially reported Smith was “no longer with the team” as of Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n Smith played two seasons with the Longhorns. He had undergone shoulder surgery<\/a> earlier this offseason.<\/p>\n A Texas spokesperson confirmed to reporters that Smith was no longer with the program as of Friday night, per Horns247’s Eric C. Henry<\/a>.<\/p>\n Smith ranked fifth on the team last season with 60 tackles to go along with his 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions in 13 games.<\/p>\n After making 28 appearances with one start over two seasons, Smith had spent time as a defensive signal-caller<\/a> while preparing for his third year with the program.<\/p>\n Smith missed last Saturday’s scrimmage due to what Sarkisian said was illness after absences from practice the week before. Henry<\/a> previously reported Smith had been kept away because of “personal matters.”<\/p>\n Sarkisian said<\/a> on Monday Smith would need to regain weight after dealing with a virus but that the team’s goal was still to get him back into the flow of practice.<\/p>\n Smith had three seasons of college eligibility remaining at the time of his dismissal from the program.<\/p>\n Smith was in contention for a starting spot alongside other linebackers including Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles and Florida State transfer Justin Cryer. <\/p>\n Sarkisian pointed out Saturday the Longhorns will often use a nickel defense requiring just two linebackers, per Kirk Bohls<\/a> of the Houston Chronicle. <\/p>\n