Advertisement

Why Texas football safety Michael Taafe switched jersey numbers in 2023

danny davis, austin american-statesman
·2 min read

Before the football season got underway, Texas assigned the No. 16 jersey to two Longhorns who didn't wear that number last year.

It's not hard to guess why heralded freshman quarterback Arch Manning wanted No. 16. He wore that number in high school and it's also the jersey number that has been retired at Tennessee in honor of his uncle, Peyton Manning. Texas safety Michael Taaffe is the defensive player wearing 16; when he walked onto the team in 2021, he was assigned No. 36, but after two seasons, the sophomore requested a new number this spring.

Texas safety Michael Taaffe has been a key part to the Longhorns' defense the past two games, starting the wins over Houston and BYU and intercepting a pass in each game. He switched jersey numbers this year to honor a close friend from high school who died in 2021.
Texas safety Michael Taaffe has been a key part to the Longhorns' defense the past two games, starting the wins over Houston and BYU and intercepting a pass in each game. He switched jersey numbers this year to honor a close friend from high school who died in 2021.

On Monday, Taaffe explained to reporters that he switched to No. 16 as a way to honor Jackson Coker, his dear friend and former teammate at Westlake High School. Coker wore that number while the two won a state championship in 2019. Coker died in a car accident in March 2021.

"Jackson Coker was one of my best friends," Taaffe said. "When he passed away, every single day that I've lived continuing forward, I've just tried to embrace what he did on this planet. He was such a loving guy. His faith was so important to him, he loved Jesus Christ more than anybody ... I try to wake up every single day representing Jackson and trying to do my best.

Former Westlake wide receiver Jackson Coker, who was a close friend of current Texas safety Michael Taaffe, died in a 2021 car accident. Taaffe, who wore No. 36 his first two years at Texas, switched to No. 16 this season to honor his old friend. "When I wear No. 16, I gotta go all out on that field," Taaffe said.
Former Westlake wide receiver Jackson Coker, who was a close friend of current Texas safety Michael Taaffe, died in a 2021 car accident. Taaffe, who wore No. 36 his first two years at Texas, switched to No. 16 this season to honor his old friend. "When I wear No. 16, I gotta go all out on that field," Taaffe said.

"When I wear No. 16, I gotta go all out on that field," Taaffe continued. "When I make a play, it's all praise to God because that's who he is and that's who he was and that's just what was most important to him. It feels so good to just wear that 16 knowing that he's watching over me, and I'm trying to do the best that I can for him."

Taaffe talked to Texas coach Steve Sarkisian after spring workouts had concluded about switching numbers. He said Sarkisian was understanding of his request. He added that Sarkisian even sent flowers to Coker's family after his friend's death even though Sarkisian had just gotten to Austin and Coker was a member of Columbia's football program.

"That just shows who coach Sark is," Taaffe said.

This season, Taaffe has shined in the Texas secondary. He has started the last two games in place of the injured Jalen Catalon, and he has intercepted a pass in each of the past two weeks. Taaffe also has recorded 20 tackles and a pass breakup.

No. 7 Texas hosts No. 23 Kansas State on Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football player Michael Taaffe wears No. 16 to honor late friend