Ty'Anthony Smith Steps Into the Spotlight as Texas' Next Defensive Leader
ORLANDO, Fla. - A year ago, Ty’Anthony Smith was the new kid on the block - a 6-foot-1, 185-pound freshman out of Jasper High School, trying to make his mark in a Texas linebacker room stacked with veteran talent. He didn’t look the part of a traditional SEC linebacker just yet, but it didn’t take long for teammates and coaches to realize that Smith brought something you can’t teach: physicality, instincts, and a nose for the football.
Now, as Texas prepares to wrap up its 2025 season against Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Smith isn’t just part of the rotation - he’s one of the guys. With Anthony Hill Jr., Liona Lefau, and Trey Moore all moving on, Smith is stepping into a leadership role that’s been years in the making, and he’s doing it with the kind of quiet confidence that coaches love and teammates rally around.
“I’ve learned how to be confident in my approach through studying film,” Smith said during bowl week media availability in Orlando. That confidence didn’t come overnight - it was built through reps, film sessions, and a full season of experience.
Smith added 35 pounds to his frame before his freshman year, bulking up to 220 while maintaining his speed and explosiveness. He spent most of 2024 cutting his teeth on special teams, but still managed to appear in 11 games on defense - valuable experience that’s paying off now.
This season, he’s been a steady presence in the linebacker rotation, playing in all 12 games and earning a start against Arkansas when Hill was sidelined. His 51 tackles rank fifth on the team, and he’s added 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks - not eye-popping numbers, but they reflect a player who’s consistently around the ball and growing into his role.
While much of the Citrus Bowl buzz has centered on opt-outs and transfer portal movement, this game is more than just a season finale for Texas - it’s a preview of what’s next. And for Smith, it’s a chance to show he’s ready to be the anchor of the defense heading into 2026.
“I would say it is just exciting, having a coach who believes in you from the jump and allows you to take on his leadership skills and bring that out to the team,” Smith said. “I think that is what has prepared me for next year with this leadership role in the linebacker room.”
That coach is Johnny Nansen, who’s been instrumental in Smith’s development and isn’t shy about his expectations. With Hill, Lefau, and Moore gone, Nansen is looking to Smith and true freshman Bo Barnes to carry the torch.
“When you look at my room, we have four starters,” Nansen said. “Losing those guys really wasn’t a big issue for us.
I love those guys to death. But the ‘next guy’ mentality has been in our program for a very long time.
Having this guy on my left [Smith] stepping up and becoming the leader, and Bo Barnes stepping up - it’s a great opportunity for these guys to showcase what they can do.”
Texas fans tuning in on Wednesday will get a glimpse of that next wave - Smith, Barnes, and a handful of underclassmen who are eager to prove they’re ready to carry the program’s defensive tradition forward. It’s not just about filling gaps left by departing stars; it’s about building something new, with Smith at the center of it.
“I would just say it’s an exciting time,” Smith said. “I’m really appreciative of Coach [Nansen] just teaching me the ins and outs of football, and now I get to go out there and show it.”
The Citrus Bowl may be the end of the road for Texas’ 2025 season, but for Ty’Anthony Smith, it feels more like the beginning.