All-American Safety Michael Taaffe Returning to Texas

The Texas Longhorns are coming off their second straight year with an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Steve Sarkisian is now focused on assembling his roster for the 2025 season, but must first assess the holes left by players who have exhausted their eligibility and those deciding to leave early for the NFL Draft.

This week an array of Texas players opted out of any remaining eligibility by announcing their intentions to play on Sundays. With Wednesday’s deadline to declare for April’s NFL Draft looming, a major announcement relative to the Longhorns secondary was made on Tuesday. All-American safety and Westlake High School product Michael Taaffe, who many thought could potentially leave early for the NFL, formalized his decision to return to the 40 Acres for his final year of eligibility.

The news of Taaffe’s return is welcoming to a secondary that will lose Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron and fellow safety Andrew Mukuba to the draft. The former walk-on has enjoyed an impressive career at Texas, amassing 151 tackles (81 solo) and five interceptions in three seasons of action for Sarkisian and safeties coach Blake Gideon.