Texas safety Michael Taaffe named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Texas senior defensive back Michael Taaffe was selected to the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which honors 22 college football players and one head coach for their extraordinary commitment to community service.

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As part of his selection to the team, Taaffe is now a semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary service with leadership and performance on and off the field. A total of 195 individuals were nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in July. 

Taaffe was previously named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list on July 31. 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 was 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 is Texas’ leading tackler this season with 23 stops (13 solo) through three games. The defensive back compiled nine tackles (two solo) in the season opener at No. 3/2 Ohio State (Aug. 30) before turning in an eight-tackle (seven solo) performance in Texas’ home opener vs. San Jose State (Sept. 6). He tallied six tackles (four solo) against UTEP (Sept. 13).

Taaffe started all 16 games in 2024, 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. 12, airing on ESPN. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow on Jan. 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Up next, Taaffe and the Longhorns return to action at 7 p.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 20, vs. Sam Houston inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game can be streamed live on ESPN+/SEC Network+ with Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Chase Daniel (analyst) and Tori Petry (sideline reporter) on the call.

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(via Texas release)