Unfinished Business: Michael Taaffe Delays NFL Dream to Chase Texas’ Elusive National Title
Michael Taaffe has been part of Texas football long enough to witness its transformation from a struggling program to a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. But for the Austin native, the journey isn’t complete just yet.
A former walk-on from Westlake High School, Taaffe has one major goal left before taking the next step in his career—winning a national championship. That dream fueled his raw emotions following Texas’s 28-14 loss to Ohio State in the CFP semifinal. It also played a crucial role in his decision to return for another season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.
“Obviously, things spiraled on social media about me yelling in the tunnel,” Taaffe said at Texas’ Pro Day. “In my mind, I was thinking, ‘I’m declaring for the NFL, but we didn’t win the national championship. That’s why I came here.’”
That realization forced Taaffe to make a difficult choice. He sought advice from head coach Steve Sarkisian and then-safeties coach Blake Gideon before ultimately deciding to return to Texas for one last run.
His return is a massive boost for the Longhorns, especially as they navigate another round of roster turnover. A second-team All-American last season, Taaffe was one of Texas’ defensive anchors, recording 78 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, 10 passes defended, and a fumble recovery.
Now a senior, he’ll be counted on to provide stability and leadership for a secondary that lost multiple starters. Alongside returning cornerbacks Malik Muhammad and Jaylon Guilbeau, Taaffe will play a key role in maintaining Texas’ defensive prowess.
“It’s going to be different,” he admitted. “You do that rinse and repeat that teams have to do every year. People leave, people come. For me to be a face of familiarity for other guys, to show them what it takes, that’s important.”
With unfinished business on his mind, Taaffe is determined to make his final season in Austin count. His decision to return isn’t just about football—it’s about fulfilling the promise he made to himself when he first joined the Longhorns: to win.
