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Taaffe said he was on FaceTime calls with Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba over the weekend. He said both are having fun, but they’ve let him know how tough NFL training camp can be.

Taaffe says communication on the field is great in the back seven.

Taaffe said Xavier Filsame has been doing “really, really well.” Growing mentally has allows his athletic ability to shine, Taaffe said.

In fairness to you all, he met his match in the Cotton Bowl :(, fortunately Ohio State was still able to eek out a W

“Sure it can,” Taaffe said when asked if the 2025 defense can be better than the 2024 defense. Texas lost a lot, but the returners being a year older along with what the Longhorns, Taaffe said the defense can be elite again.

Looks like Hiter was waiting on penalties to be announced... W for Michigan

Taaffe was asked if this defense can be better than a year ago: “Sure it can!” Points to Hill, Lefau, Jelani, Malik, Black, Colin all being a year better.

Taaffe says the maturity with Arch has been proven with his ability to check down. Compares him to Sam Ehlinger in their ability to not wanting to take a sack and finding ways to get out of pressure situations.

I just remember Trevor breaking off like a 60 yard TD run against Ohio State in the playoffs. Arch’s legs worry me as well.

The general update if you aggregate the different sites is that his finger got caught in a jersey and that it's a legitimate injury, but won't keep him out of Ohio State. Now feel free to share what you heard from Brady Sarkisian.

Haircut puts an edge on Hill.

He just cares about ball and that’s really it,” Taaffe said when asked about Arch Manning is handling the pressure he’s under going into the season.

All very fair points and I think a lot of CFB analysts and national media agree with you. This is only my opinion, not necessarily shared by other Buckeyes, but I feel like Ohio State’s defense has a much larger advantage against Texas’ offense than Texas’ defense does against Ohio State’s offense. This is a bit ironic considering my last point, but I would say my biggest fear in this game is what if Sark coaches circles around Matt Patricia?

Taaffe says he watches tape with Michael Huff every day.

Yeah. Ohio St will be pretty season #1 next year. I think that’s a pretty decent comparison for Arch (off of ability and projection obviously). Trevor had more weapons around him though.

Taaffe points to having staff continuity at all three phases of the game as a key reason for why the team has grown over the years.

Michael Taaffe said watching the guys who were leaders and guys trying to emulate what Sam Ehlinger, Roschon Johnson, DeMarvion Overshown and Jaylan Ford (among others) has helped Texas form a strong leadership core that’s carried over from one season to the next.

Michael Taaffe time

There’s a very real possibility Ohio State returns all 11 starters next season. I think Arch compares very favorably to Trevor Lawrence. How do you feel about that comparison?

“I wouldn’t say won, but I think we were really physical and won at the line of scrimmage,” Hill said on how the defensive performed in the scrimmages.

I’ll especially tell you. Moreso than anyone on the board.