Pro Football Focus All-American team rewards two Longhorns and another who was snubbed by All-SEC team
The SEC coaches may have overlooked Texas safety Michael Taaffe, but Pro Football Focus didn’t. The well-respected NFL and college football analytics website named Taaffe to its PFF All-America team, which was unveiled Wednesday. Left tackle Kelvin Banks and cornerback Jahdae Barron were also named PFF All-Americans after terrific seasons as integral pieces in the […]
The SEC coaches may have overlooked Texas safety Michael Taaffe, but Pro Football Focus didn’t.
The well-respected NFL and college football analytics website named Taaffe to its PFF All-America team, which was unveiled Wednesday.
Left tackle Kelvin Banks and cornerback Jahdae Barron were also named PFF All-Americans after terrific seasons as integral pieces in the Longhorns run to the SEC championship game.
PFF based its criteria off its season-long grading system that has become one of the most-respected metrics among media and fans.
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Taaffe, Barron and Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter all finished the season with the same coverage grade. Barron was a Thorpe and Nagurski Award finalist, and Hunter was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Yet, Taaffe was completely left off the All-SEC postseason award list.
Here’s what PFF wrote about each Longhorn player it believes is an All-American
Kelvin Banks, left tackle
“Banks has all but cemented himself as a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft due to a stellar junior season. He ranks third among FBS tackles in PFF's wins above average metric and PFF pass-blocking grade (90.3). Banks has surrendered pressure on just 1.5% of his pass-blocking snaps, the third-best rate among Power Four offensive tackles.”
Jahdae Barron, cornerback
“Barron is the highest-graded cornerback in college football this season (90.9) grade. He has surrendered just a 27.8 passer rating into his coverage. For reference, spiking the ball on every play nets a 39.6 rating.”
Michael Taaffe, safety
“Taaffe is both the highest-graded and most valuable college safety this season, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. The former walk-on’s 91.3 PFF coverage grade leads all players at his position, as he has surrendered only 12 catches while coming up with seven combined interceptions and forced incompletions.”
