Michael Taaffe: A Leader in the Locker Room and the Community
Michael Taaffe’s final season with the Texas Longhorns was about more than just football. Sure, the senior safety racked up 70 tackles and snagged two interceptions, earning AFCA All-America honors in the process. But it’s what he’s done off the field - in hospitals, in schools, and in the heart of his hometown - that’s made his impact even bigger than the box score.
In 2025, Taaffe took on a leadership role in a substance abuse prevention initiative, raised over $100,000 for flood prevention efforts, visited local hospitals, and helped distribute food across the Austin area. The work was personal, the mission clear. And after a conversation with Tim Tebow at the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, Taaffe’s drive to serve others found a new level.
“He told me, ‘If you work so hard at football, why not work just as hard to serve others?’” Taaffe recalled. “You have this perfect platform at the University of Texas - use it.”
That message hit home. And on the same night, Taaffe was honored with the Wuerffel Trophy - awarded annually to the college football player who best combines community service with athletic and academic excellence.
He was also named captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. For Taaffe, a Westlake High School alum and Austin native, it was a full-circle moment.
A local kid making a statewide - and soon, perhaps, national - difference.
Turning Pain into Purpose: The Fight Against Fentanyl
Taaffe’s passion for service didn’t come out of nowhere. It was born out of loss.
In May 2021, former Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger - Taaffe’s high school and college teammate - died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. The drug had been laced into what was believed to be a Xanax pill. That tragic moment changed everything for Taaffe.
“I think a lot of times, your purpose in life is where your heart hurts the most,” he said. “My heart was hurting a lot in 2021 when I found out Jake was poisoned with fentanyl. My purpose now is to make sure that doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
That purpose led him to Texas Against Fentanyl (TXAF), a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and supporting families affected by it. In November, Taaffe helped raise $60,000 at an event aimed at educating Texas public schools about the drug’s dangers.
“There’s a law now that says schools have to talk about fentanyl awareness,” Taaffe explained. “But there’s no funding behind it. That’s where we’re trying to help - not just raising money, but making sure people understand how brutal and real this is in our communities.”
A Final Season to Remember
On the field, Taaffe helped guide the Longhorns to a 9-3 season, capped by a signature 27-17 win over No. 3 Texas A&M.
After that emotional victory, an Instagram photo of Taaffe and teammate Connor Robertson - both Westlake grads - sitting on the turf at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium went viral. It captured more than a win.
It captured a moment.
That win, however, wasn’t enough to push Texas into the College Football Playoff. And Taaffe won’t be suiting up for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against No. 18 Michigan on December 31, as he prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft.
“I don’t live with regret,” Taaffe said. “But I truly believe if we had a shot, we could’ve won it all.
We showed we could battle with anybody. Still, I walk away with a smile on my face, knowing I gave everything I had to this program.”
Looking Ahead: Community First, Always
Even as he trains for the next level, Taaffe isn’t done giving back. He plans to continue his community work in Austin - and he might not be doing it alone.
Quarterback Arch Manning, who recently announced he’ll return to Texas for the 2026 season, could be joining forces with Taaffe in the charitable space. The two share more than a jersey number (No. 16); they share a vision.
“That’s the plan,” Taaffe said. “There’s that old saying - the cheers turn into echoes fast once you stop playing.
But I’m grateful. The Texas fanbase is incredibly loyal.
Guys from 2005 are still out there doing great things, and the fans are still showing up.”
“You do it for the goodness of your heart,” he added. “Hopefully me and Arch can get something going. We’ll see.”
A Legacy Beyond the Game
For Taaffe, the Wuerffel Trophy isn’t just an award - it’s a reminder of what matters most. Named after former Florida quarterback and Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel, the honor recognizes players who use their platform for more than just personal gain. Taaffe sees Wuerffel as a mentor and a model.
“He embodies his purpose,” Taaffe said. “I couldn’t have been more blessed to have him in my corner.”
With his college career in the books and an NFL future on the horizon, Michael Taaffe leaves Texas not just as a standout safety, but as a symbol of what it means to lead - in the locker room, in the community, and far beyond the field.
Wuerffel Trophy Winners (2005-2025)
| Year | Player | Position | School |
|---|
| 2005 | Rudy Niswanger | C | LSU | | 2006 | Joel Penton | DT | Ohio State |
| 2007 | Paul Smith | QB | Tulsa | | 2008 | Tim Tebow | QB | Florida |
| 2009 | Tim Hiller | QB | Western Michigan | | 2010 | Sam Acho | DE | Texas |
| 2011 | Barrett Jones | T | Alabama | | 2012 | Matt Barkley | QB | USC |
| 2013 | Gabe Ikard | C | Texas | | 2014 | Deterrian Shackelford | LB | Ole Miss |
| 2015 | Ty Darlington | C | Oklahoma | | 2016 | Trevor Knight | QB | Texas A&M |
| 2017 | Courtney Love | LB | Kentucky | | 2018 | Drue Tranquill | LB | Notre Dame |
| 2019 | Joe Wassnik | QB | Western Michigan | | 2020 | Teton Saltes | T | New Mexico |
| 2021 | Isaiah Sanders | QB | Stanford | | 2022 | Dillan Gibbons | G | Florida State |
| 2023 | Ladd McConkey | WR | Georgia | | 2024 | Nick Dawkins | C | Penn State |
| 2025 | Michael Taaffe | S | Texas |
Michael Taaffe’s name now joins a list of players who’ve made their mark not just on Saturdays, but every day - where it counts most.