3 emerging leaders for Texas entering preseason camp

Michael Taaffe, S

After senior Jerrin Thompson transferred from Texas to Auburn early this offseason, redshirt junior Michael Taaffe is the most experienced returning safety for the Longhorns on the current roster for the 2024 season. Taaffe has been a significant contributor to Texas's safety rotation since the start of last season.

Taaffe has come a long way since he was put on scholarship this offseason after a very strong showing in spring camp.

Last year, Taaffe started a career-high nine games while taking over 400 defensive snaps in Texas's secondary. He is Texas's second-highest-graded returning safety in coverage from last season's Longhorns team.

Taaffe and senior cornerback Gavin Holmes are two returning upperclassmen to watch in Texas's secondary entering fall camp who could be tone-setters on the practice field and help this defensive backfield come together better in 2024. Texas needs more cohesion in the secondary after an inconsistent showing from this defensive backfield last fall in the Big 12.

We've heard a lot this offseason about the leadership traits that have started getting noticed around the program and the locker room from returning upperclassmen like Holmes and Taaffe. It sounds like both guys are bringing invaluable leadership and their work ethic has started to produce better and better results in practice and 7-on-7 work for the DBs in summer.

Regarding Taaffe specifically, his proven experience and leadership will be key to assembling a rejuvenated and improved safety rotation for Blake Gideon and PK entering this season in the SEC. Sarkisian has described Taaffe as a "glue-guy" for the secondary entering training camp this year.

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