Andrew Mukuba picks Michael Taaffe as the breakout player in Texas' secondary

Texas brought in some additions from the transfer portal this offseason in an effort to improve its secondary. However, Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba believes that it’s a returning defensive back who is ready to have a breakout year.

Mukuba recently spoke on the Behind The Facemask podcast and said that Michael Taaffe is the player in the Texas secondary who is ready to break out.

“I gotta go with my boy Michael Taaffe,” Mukuba said. “I feel like he’s always been slept on. He’s a sleeper. But I feel like he’s going to have a big year that’s going to surprise people.”

Taaffe played in all 14 games in 2023, making nine starts. He finished the year with 48 tackles and three interceptions. In addition to Taaffe, Mukuba is also expecting a big year from sophomore Malik Muhammad. The DeSoto, Texas native played in every game last season, making a pair of starts. He finished 2023 with 31 tackles and an interception for the Longhorns.

“I’ll also say Malik,” Mukuba said. “I feel like he’s going to surprise a lot of people, too. He’s been in there working, so I’m excited to see what he’s going to do when the lights come on.”

Texas DB Andrew Mukuba labels himself a ‘ball hawk’ on the field

Andrew Mukuba has proven that he can be one of the top safeties in college football when healthy. As he enters his first season at Texas, he plans on getting back to being that type of player.

Mukuba joined the Longhorns program this offseason after three seasons at Clemson. He recently sat down with the Behind The Facemask podcast and shared what kind of player Texas is getting.

“I feel like I’m good in coverage. I know how to take the proper tackles. I’d say I know how to communicate when I’m out there. I’d say a ball hawk,” Andrew Mukuba said. “And I feel like I’m just a field general when I’m out there.”

Mukuba was a Freshman All-American and the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. He then started 21 games over the following two years while dealing with injuries but continuing to make plays. Mukuba plans to use his experiences from his days at Clemson to help this Texas team, particularly guys in the secondary.

“I’m going to bring a lot of energy, a winning mentality on the back end. I’m going to bring a lot of swagger and just playmaking ability,” Mukuba said. “I feel like that’s what I do best and just being in the room with a lot of younger players, I feel like they can feed off of that and all I can do is just give them the knowledge of the game and hope they take that and apply it to their game. And hopefully, as a unit, we go out there and ball.”