Michael Taaffe shares update on his injury: 'I'm ready to go'

Early in fall camp, Texas safety Micahel Taaffe was spotted in a brace on his hand. An injury not really known before getting in front of the media, there did not appear to be much setback. Head coach Steve Sarkisian did not mention anything either during his press conferences.

Taaffe gave an update on the situation when speaking to the media, saying he is “ready to go.” He seems determined to get out there and make an impact on the field as Texas transitions from the Big 12 into the SEC.

“I’m ready to go,” Taaffe said Thursday via Zoom. “I’ve been playing, I’ve been hitting, I’ve been tackling. I’m not going to let anything get in my way. I believe that I’m a ballhawk, so it doesn’t matter what I have on my hand. If I see the ball in the air, I’m going to go get it.”

It was later revealed by Taaffe the injury dates back to before the summer. Surgery was required in May but everything has gone well. Doctors have not given any setbacks yet, music to the defensive back’s ears. Taaffe is ready to go out there and make plays, even if the brace stays on.

“It’s been a great process,” Taaffe said. “The doctor is very pleased with how it’s going, and I’m making very good strides. I’m full live, I’m tackling, I’m catching, I’m getting of blocks, so everything that you need to do as a DB, I’m doing it. I can play at the highest level with whatever is on my hand.”

Taaffe is one of the great stories in college football, walking onto the team as a true freshman after being a high school legend in the Austin area. Back during the 2021 state championship game, Taaffe intercepted Southlake‘s Quinn Ewers.

A scholarship was eventually awarded to the Westlake product as he became a key piece of the Texas secondary. Rotations will certainly take place in the back-end of defense but Taaffe has an opportunity to play a big chunk of the snaps.

Off the field, Taaffe was one of the two Longhorns to land NIL deals with Lamborghini this offseason. He joined Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Bond.

Taaffe’s main focus appears to be on the field, though. His hand injury is not going to stop him from being out there and producing at a high level for Texas this season.