Texas junior defensive back Michael Taaffe has been named the Southeastern Conference’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday, marking the first conference weekly honor of his career.
The Austin native made his presence felt in Texas’ 27-24 victory at No. 25 Vanderbilt, forcing two turnovers and tallying six tackles. Taaffe intercepted a pass at the beginning of the second quarter, halting a Vanderbilt drive at the Texas 22-yard line and returning it nine yards. Later in the same quarter, he forced the first fumble of his career at the 43-yard line, stopping another Commodores’ drive with just one minute left in the half.
Leading a Texas defense that limited Vanderbilt to 269 total yards—155 passing and 114 rushing—Taaffe and the Longhorns held the Commodores to a maximum drive length of 43 yards until their final possession. Two of Vanderbilt’s three touchdowns were the result of Texas turnovers deep in their own territory.
Through this season, Taaffe ranks third on the team with 39 tackles and is tied for second in pass breakups with four. Texas leads the nation in total defense (241.3 yards per game), ranks second in scoring defense (11.5 points per game) and pass efficiency defense (90.77), and sits third in passing yards allowed (135.8).
🏈 SEC Defensive Player of the Week: WK 9
🐂 Michael Taaffe@TexasFootball x #SECFB pic.twitter.com/l5JXpcBWqJ
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) October 28, 2024
A former walk-on and fourth-year player for the Longhorns, Taaffe has appeared in 35 games with 18 starts, amassing 113 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and a blocked punt.
Following a bye this week, Taaffe and the Longhorns will return to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to face the Florida Gators on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m., with broadcast coverage on ABC or ESPN.