Inside Texas Today: Michael Taaffe garners praise from Steve Sarkisian
Welcome to Inside Texas Today! Every weekday, Inside Texas Today will provide the latest from around the Forty Acres. This morning, assessing Steve Sarkisian’s response about Michael Taaffe when asked about walk-ons making moves during Texas’ spring practices.
Here’s the Friday, April 22, 2022 edition.
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“He’s just a really natural football player.”
Throughout the course of spring, Steve Sarkisian is constantly asked which players are doing well, who has taken a step, who had a good practice, etc.
Rarely does that focus go on walk-ons, and typically with good reason. Only on rare occasions do they see the field, in part due to their hard work and commitment but also due to other unforeseen circumstances like a blowout or injury.
Sarkisian was asked on Thursday which player from the walk-on ranks may have put himself in position to contend for playing time in the fall. He only named one player.
“I think Michael Taaffe has been a guy who has really stepped up. He’s just a really natural football player. He’s a guy that understands leverage, understands scheme, recognizes offensively what we’re trying to do, and plays well. He plays smart. He communicates really well. He did it in high school, and has showed up. Last season, he was kind of that way, now here he is, whether it’s on defense or on special teams, has been the kind of guy you’re referencing”
Taaffe, a second-year defensive back from Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, received some time with the second team in recent practices.
He was a second-team All-State selection in 2020, helping Westlake to its second of three-straight state titles. He won defensive player of the game honors in both state finals he competed in.
After not appearing in a game with the Longhorns last year, Taaffe should see a good amount of snaps against scholarship opposition in the upcoming spring game.
Texas viewing for 4/22
No. 13 women’s golf – Big 12 Championship – Hockley, Texas – The Club at Houston Oaks – Live stats – More info
No. 1 track and field – Michael Johnson Invitational – Waco, Texas – Outdoor Track & Field – Meet info
No. 4 women’s tennis – Big 12 Championships – vs. No. 34 Iowa State – Fort Worth, Texas – Friedman Tennis Center – 9 a.m. – More info
No. 12 men’s tennis – Big 12 Championships – vs. No. 54 Oklahoma State – Fort Worth, Texas – Friedman Tennis Center – 3 p.m. – Live video
No. 16 softball – at Oklahoma State – Stillwater, Okla. – Cowgirl Stadium – 6 p.m.
No. 10 baseball – Baylor – Austin, Texas – UFCU Disch-Falk Field – 6:30 p.m. – Longhorn Network
Soccer – St. Edwards – Austin, Texas – Mike A. Myers Stadium – 7 p.m.
