Texas defensive back Michael Taffe was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding football player that began his career as a walk-on.
Taaffe, a Westlake High School (Austin, TX) product, began his career with the Longhorns in 2021 as a walk-on and earned a scholarship with the Longhorns in December of 2022.
He has made three starts and played in all eight games this season and has tallied 20 tackles (13 solo), one tackle for loss, two interceptions which leads the team. Over his career at Texas he has played in 21 games and has recorded 46 tackles (26 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two pass breakups.
The Burlsworth Trophy is named after former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth. Burlsworth was a walk-on at Arkansas in 1994 and rose to All-American status in 1998. After being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999, Burlsworth was killed in an automobile accident less than two weeks later.
The Burlsworth Trophy winner will be announced on December 4, at 7:00 pm in Bentonville, Arkansas.
