Steve Sarkisian describes the significance of Michael Taaffe’s performance in the CFP vs. Clemson

On By Littum

Texas‘ 38-24 win Clemson in College football playoff Saturday was personal for the Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe. The junior DB was a high school teammate of the Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.

While Taaffe and Klubnik may have affection for each other off the court, they showed no signs of friendship Saturday night. After the game, the Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian discussed how Taaffe’s association with Klubnik motivated DB.

“I’m sure it meant a ton,” Sarkisian said. “Sometimes you have the most fun competing against those closest to you, and I can say that. I had an opportunity to compete against Pete Carroll after being his assistant for almost eight years, and to compete against him — I had an opportunity to compete against Nick Saban a couple of different times, who I respect so much .

“The ones you respect and then you get a chance to compete against them and then come out on top, I know that – I’m sure it feels great for him because of the respect he has for Cade and those great wins they had when they were together at Westlake.”

Taaffe and Klubnik won two state championships together at Westlake before the former advanced to the next level. Klubnik didn’t let Taaffe’s absence slow him down, winning the school’s third-straight state title in 2021.

Taaffe recorded just two tackles against Clemson on Saturday, but he was the one who put the nails in Clemson’s coffin. With 1:17 left in the game, Clemson trailed Texas 38-24 and was 4th and 6 at the Longhorns’ 26-yard line.

On the play, Klubnik delivered a dart to a receiver across the middle, only for Taaffe to blast the target, forcing an incomplete pass. After the win, Sarkisian praised Michael Taaffe for his courageous performance.

“I’m proud of Michael. I joked with him, I said, I think you dropped that interception on 3rd down just so you could play on 4th down,” Sarkisian said.

“But man, the guy just continues to play at a high level. I’m so glad the media recognized him from an American standpoint. I know the coaches in the SEC didn’t and I think they missed the mark that guy wasn’t an All-SEC player. But you guys definitely were, and I think he’s more than deserving of the accolades he’s getting.”