The life of a walk-on isn’t exactly glamorous. You’re not the highly touted recruit with the world at your fingers. You’re an underdog with a massive chip on their shoulder fighting to just keep a dream alive.

Like most movies that celebrate the underdog- this story is a testimony to the journey on the road less traveled. Ahead of the 2021 College Football Season, Michael Taaffe- a 6 foot, 182lb 18 year old just became a walk on for his hometown team: the Texas Longhorns. The local Austin native had one dream, to suit up in the burnt orange and white and run out of the tunnel at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium while 100,000 fans cheered.

Over the next year and a half, Taaffe grinded and clawed his way up to the depth chart before earning a scholarship during his redshirt freshman season.

During the next three years, Michael Taaffe would record 196 total tackles, alongside 7 Interceptions, 13 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble. Taaffe would be heralded as one of the top safety’s in the SEC, drawing praise for his hard hits and ability to hawk to the football.

Five years after his decision to bet on himself and walk on to one of the most prestigious teams in the country, Michael Taaffe is in the final stages of preparation ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

When asked to reminisce on the journey during NFL Combine Media Availability, Taaffe had this to say:

“My younger self would be so amazed to be here standing in front of you guys, just talking about ball and what I love to do…Man, It was a long stretch..a bumpy road for me….I’m so grateful for every opportunity that I had…You learn so much down the road being a walk on, you learn how to do it- in my belief- the right way…Nothing’s given to you, you have to earn everything…You got to earn respect, playing time, leadership…The University of Texas gave me everything that I needed…The coaches gave me an equal opportunity to go showcase what I was able to do…..I’m so grateful for my time there and if I could do it all over again, I’d do the exact same thing.”