Skip to main content
Texas

Texas' Michael Taaffe tabbed to Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list

On3 imageby: Justin Wells08/01/25
Michael Taaffe
Michael Taaffe (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas senior defensive back Michael Taaffe was named to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list, the Wuerffel Foundation announced Thursday. The award recognizing college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.

[Sign up for Inside Texas TODAY and get the BEST Longhorns coverage!]

Widely regarded as college football’s premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change.

It’s the first time Taaffe has earned a spot on the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list. Longhorn Legend Sam Acho won the award in 2010.

Taaffe has been exceptional in his work in the community, most notably establishing Taaffe’s Tackles for Fentanyl Awareness that will raise funds for Texas Against Fentanyl, an organization that raises awareness and provides resources and advocacy for prevention and education about fentanyl. 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.

A preseason First-Team All-SEC honoree, Taaffe has already been placed on preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. He returns to the UT defense after garnering second-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press in 2024. An Austin, Texas native and former walk-on, Taaffe started all 16 games last season, ranking second on the team in total tackles (78), interceptions (2) and pass break-ups (10). He was the only Longhorn to record an interception and a forced fumble in the same game last season after doing so in Texas’ win at No. 25/25 Vanderbilt on Oct. 26, earning the Burlsworth’s Trophy National Player of the Week and the SEC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Taaffe forced two turnovers to go along with six tackles and a pass break-up against the Commodores. In the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Arizona State, Taaffe logged a career-high 10 tackles (six solo) and two pass break-ups to help send Texas to its second-consecutive CFP semifinal. Taaffe is a fifth-year defensive back who has played in 43 games with 26 starts.

The 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2025 recipient will also serve as Captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 12th, airing on ESPN. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow on Jan. 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

UT kicks off the 2025 season on the road at Ohio State at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Aug. 30, inside Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The game will broadcast as part of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, and ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast live from the Ohio State University campus. College GameDay will air for three hours from 8-11 a.m. CT, hosted by Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and other ESPN personalities. It will be the final show for longtime ESPN personality Lee Corso as he is set to retire following Week 1 of the 2025 season.

(via Texas release)

You may also like