The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 17/18/10 Football’s Taaffe named Burlsworth Trophy finalist
11.18.2025 | Football
The senior defensive back is one of three finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 18/17/10 Texas Football senior defensive back Michael Taaffe was named one of three finalists for the 2025 Burlsworth Trophy, the Burlsworth Foundation announced Tuesday afternoon. The Burlsworth Trophy is given annually to the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
In addition to Taaffe, the other finalists are Oklahoma's Febechi Nwaiwu and North Texas' Drew Mestemaker.
Taaffe is also a semifinalist for the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award, Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. A preseason First-Team All-SEC honoree, Taaffe was placed on preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. He returned to the UT defense after garnering second-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press in 2024.
The Austin, Texas, native and former walk-on has started in eight games for Texas this season. The fifth-year player has played in 51 games with 34 starts during his time on the Forty Acres. Depite missing two games this season due to injury, Taaffe has recorded the third-most tackles on the team with 59 (31 solo) in addition to an interception and a sack. Taaffe totaled nine tackles (two solo) in season opener at No. 3/2 Ohio State on Aug. 30 before logging eight stops (seven solo) in Texas' home opener vs. San Jose State on Sept. 6. In UT's SEC opener at Florida on Oct. 4, Taaffe was credited with seven tackles (two solo) and one interception. He followed up that performance with nine tackles (seven solo), including one sack for a loss of 10 yards in the victory over No. 6/6 Oklahoma on Oct. 11. He registered 10 tackles (five solo) in the overtime win at Kentucky on Oct. 18, including a pair of crucial tackles in overtime. On fourth-and-goal from the Texas 1-yard line, Taaffe assisted on the tackle of Kentucky's running back and kept him out of the endzone to force a turnover on downs. After missing games at Mississippi State (Oct. 25) and vs. Vanderbilt (Nov. 1), Taaffe returned to action at No. 5/5 Georgia on Nov. 15 with a seven-tackle (three solo) performance.
Behind Taaffe's leadership on the defense, Texas' defense ranks third in team sacks (3.60), third in opponent yards per rush (2.5), sixth in rushing defense (83.2), seventh in opponent red zone chances per game (2.2), seventh in opponent rushing first downs per game (5.5), eighth in opponent red zone scores per game (1.8), 10th in 4th down conversion percentage (0.467), 11th in opponent points per play (0.261), 12th in opponent yards per play (4.5), 13th in tackles for loss (7.0) and 15th in scoring defense (18.3). The Longhorns have held eight of its last 11 opponents to under 100 rushing yards, dating back to the 2024 season. Through 10 games in 2025, the Longhorns have gained 16 turnovers, which ranks fourth in the SEC. UT's 10 interceptions also sit fifth in the conference. The Longhorns have forced a turnover in 21-straight home games, the longest active streak in the FBS.
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show, which will honor the three finalists and announce the 2025 winner, will be held on Dec. 8 at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.
Up next, Taaffe and Texas host the Arkansas Razorbacks at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 22, at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer in the booth and Katie George on the sideline.
