Michael Taaffe named Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week
Texas football junior defensive back Michael Taaffe received the Burlsworth Trophy’s National Walk-On of the Week, the Burlsworth Foundation announced Tuesday. It’s Taaffe’s first career national weekly recognition.
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In addition to being selected as the Burlsworth Trophy’s National Walk-On of the Week, Taaffe was alslo named the Southeastern Conference’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Taaffe is a former walk-on and fourth-year defensive back for the Longhorns who has played in 35 career games with 18 starts. During his time on the Forty Acres, Taaffe has racked up 113 total tackles (61 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one blocked punt.
The Austin, Texas, native forced two turnovers, including an interception and a forced fumble, to go along with six tackles and a pass breakup as Texas earned a 27-24 road victory at No. 25 Vanderbilt. The interception came at the beginning of the second quarter with Vanderbilt having moved into Texas territory at the 32-yard line. Taaffe picked off the pass at the 22 before returning it nine yards.
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The forced fumble, which was the first of his career, also came in the second quarter and in Texas territory at the 43-yard line. It ended a Vanderbilt drive with one minute to go in the second half. Taaffe led a Longhorn defense that held Vanderbilt to just 269 total yards, including 155 passing and 114 rushing. The Commodores didn’t have a drive longer than 43 yards until their last one of the game and two of their three touchdowns came following Texas turnovers inside the 40-yard line.
This season, Taaffe is third on the team in tackles with 39 and tied for second in pass breakups with four. Texas leads the nation in total defense (241.3), ranks second in scoring defense (11.5) and pass efficiency defense (90.77), and is third in passing yards allowed (135.8).
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This week, Taaffe and Texas have a bye before hosting the Florida Gators at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on either ABC or ESPN.
Via UT press release
