4 players Texas must convince to return for 2025

Michael Taaffe, S

Speaking of leaders in the secondary, Taaffe has been a huge revelation for the Longhorns' defense this season. Despite getting snubbed from the SEC all-conference honors for the 2024 season, the numbers prove Taaffe has been one of the best safeties in the conference.

Taaffe is eligible to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft next spring. He could declare early for the NFL Draft while his stock is at an all-time high after a career-year for the Longhorns this fall.

Texas already loses staple seniors in the secondary next spring to the NFL Draft and due to exhausted eligibility in Barron and senior safety Andrew Mukuba. Were Taaffe to return for a fifth season at Texas in 2025, he could give the safety rotation another proven and reliable upperclassmen leader for the defensive secondary.

If Texas loses Taaffe to the NFL Draft this upcoming offseason, sophomores Derek Williams Jr. and Jelani McDonald will start at safety in 2025. Williams and McDonald would be a solid starting safety duo for the Longhorns next season.

Taaffe was the highest-graded safety and coverage DB in the P4 conferences this season (per PFF). He was a true playmaker and vital leader for Texas's secondary.

He registered career highs in combined tackles (61), tackles for loss (six), sacks (two), pass breakups (seven), forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries (one each).

But the proven depth on the two-deep at the safety position doesn't have as many proven defensive backs after Williams and McDonald in the rotation.

Getting Taaffe back for another year could help Blake Gideon and the Longhorns develop all the young and talented safeties in the secondary.