Andrew Mukuba, who started alongside Taaffe at safety for most of 2024, exhausted his collegiate eligibility. So did Thorpe Award-winning corner Jahdae Barron, making Taaffe's dec

Taaffe was named second-team All-American defensive back for Texas and a leader in the Longhorns secondary that ranked No. 7 in pass defense and No. 3 in total defense in the country. He was also a involved in a controversial targeting call in the Longhorns’ double-overtime Peach Bowl win over Arizona State.

Texas safety Michael Taaffe made it known he would return to college for his final year. This happened during Texas’ five-day declaration window in which, so far, he’s the only Texas player to return.