The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 14/14/13 Football’s Taaffe recognized as a finalist for 2025 Burlsworth Trophy
12.08.2025 | Football
The senior defensive back was the program’s first Burlsworth Trophy finalist.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 14/14/13 Texas Football senior defensive back Michael Taaffe was recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Burlsworth Trophy at the award's trophy ceremony Monday night at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark. 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.
Taaffe is the first Longhorn in program history to be selected as a finalist for the award. North Texas' quarterback Drew Mestemaker was the recipient of the 2025 Burlsworth Trophy. Oklahoma's Febechi Nwaiwu was the award's other finalist.
In addition to being a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, Taaffe is a finalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and SEC Community Service Team. Taaffe was 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.
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.
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.
Up next, Taaffe and the Longhorns will travel to Orlando, Fla., to take on No. 18/17/18 Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at 2 p.m. CT Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Camping World Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC.
