The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 14/14/13 Football’s Taaffe selected to SEC Football Community Service Team
12.04.2025 | Football
The senior defensive back is a finalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, Burslworth Trophy and a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 14/14/13 Texas Football senior defensive back Michael Taaffe was selected to the 2025 SEC Football Community Service Team, the league office announced Thursday. Taaffe is one of 16 SEC players named to the team, with all 16 conference teams having one representative.
Taaffe was recently announced one of three finalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, which recognizes college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement. Taaffe is the sixth Longhorn to be named a semifinalist for the award. The Austin, Texas, product is the first Longhorn finalist for the award since quarterback Sam Ehlinger in 2020. Sam Acho won the award in 2010.
In addition to being a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy and a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Taaffe is a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given annually to college football's top player who began his career as a walk-on. Taaffe is also a semifinalist for the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. 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.
Michael Taaffe has been exceptional in his work in the community, most notably working with Texas Against Fentanyl, an organization that raises awareness and provides resources and advocacy for prevention and education about fentanyl.
Taaffe also wore a special tie at SEC Media Days to honor the victims of the July 4th flooding at Camp Mystic. The tie was embroidered with the initials of the 27 victims – 24 campers, two counselors, and the camp director – to ensure they are remembered as heroes. As an Austin, Texas native who has a personal connection to the area, Taaffe wanted to use his platform to ensure the victims were remembered and to support the grieving families. He has also participated in a fundraiser for the families.
In addition, he has partnered with Crime Stoppers of Houston's Million for Million Campaign that raises awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Taaffe has also recorded and promoted a PSA for SoberRides.org from the Texas Department of Transportation, along with participating in numerous other service activities and youth speaking events.
The Austin, Texas, native and former walk-on has started in 10 games for Texas this season. The fifth-year player has played in 53 games with 36 starts during his time on the Forty Acres. Despite missing two games this season due to injury, Taaffe recorded the second-most tackles on the team with 70 (38 solo) in addition to two interceptions, a pass break-up and 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. In Texas' 52-37 win over Arkansas on Nov. 22, Taaffe logged seven tackles (five solo) and a pass break-up. In the Longhorns' 27-17 victory over No. 3/3/3 Texas A&M in this year's edition of the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown on Nov. 28, Taaffe finished with five tackles (two solo) and recorded a clutch interception off A&M quarterback Marcel Reed with 3:46 remaining in the game. Taaffe picked off the Aggies at the UT 3-yard line to halt the Texas A&M drive.
