Longhorns Flip 4-Star Texas A&M Commit Tyanthony Smith

The Texas Longhorns have flipped one of the Texas A&M Aggies' top recruits in linebacker Tyanthony Smith

Anything can happen on college football's early signing day. 

In the past, that has worked out well for the Texas A&M Aggies, with the program signing players like Walter Nolen, Anthony Lucas, Kam Dewberry, and Denver Harris right at the buzzer.

Unfortunately for the Aggies, it did not work out so well for them this year, with four-star linebacker Tyanthony Smith flipping his commitment and signing with the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday.

Smith, who had been committed to the Aggies since June, has long been rumored to be starting to lean toward the Longhorns in recent weeks. 

Now, that flip has come to fruition, and he will be making his way to Austin, rather than College Station this spring. 

There is no doubt that the changing of the guard from Jimbo Fisher to Mike Elko had an effect on Smith's decision. That said, the Longhorns have been a major player for some time.

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Smith had once been a silent commit to the USC Trojans, but flipped to Texas A&M in large part due to his relationship with then-defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, and the proximity to his home in Jasper. 

"[Staying close to home] means a lot," Smith told On3 when he committed. "It’s more convenient for [my family] ... we’re big on playing for where we come from. I trust A&M and what they’re doing with their program, [and] I want to be a part of that." 

Luckily for Smith, Austin is not that much further of a hike than College Station for his family from Jasper.

Smith currently ranks as the, No. 31 linebacker, No. 350 overall player in the country and No. 55 player in the state of Texas per the On3 Industry Ranking.