Hill and Taaffe earned All-American nods, capping strong seasons. Both now prepare for the NFL Draft after standout defensive performances for Texas.
After a 9-3 season, Texas saw two of its players named to AP All-American teams.
Linebacker Anthony Hill was named second-team defense, while safety Michael Taaffe was named on the third-team defense. Both players have opted out of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Hill had another standout year from the middle linebacker position, ranking third on the team in tackles with 69, and tied for second in tackles for loss with seven. Hill has also developed into a good pass rusher and serviceable coverage man, notching four sacks and two interceptions on the season.
Hill had three games where he recorded double-digit tackles, including the Longhorns' game against Mississippi State, where he had a whopping three sacks and four tackles for loss.
The junior LB missed Texas' last two games with a hand injury, making his stats that much more impressive.
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Taaffe once again operated as the heart and soul of the Longhorns' defensive unit from the free safety position, tallying 70 tackles, second behind his safety counterpart, Jelani McDonald.
Of course, Taaffe's best game of the season came against arch-rivals Oklahoma, where he recorded nine tackles, including an important sack of quarterback John Mateer.
Taaffe, like Hill, missed two games to injury, and during his return games against Georgia and Arkansas, the fifth-year senior struggled. However, he ended his Texas career with a bang, intercepting Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed late in the fourth quarter of his final collegiate game.
In his draft declaration on Monday, Taaffe thanked Longhorn Nation for five incredible years.
"From the moment I stepped on campus, y'all have given me the support system any player would die for," he said. "My memories are not my memories without y'all cheering on the burnt orange every weekend."
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A notable omission from the All-American team was star edge rusher Colin Simmons. The sophomore ranked tied for sixth in the nation in total sacks with 11, just a half sack behind Cashius Howell of Texas A&M, who was named to the first team.
Simmons hit a sophomore slump early this season, totaling just 1.5 sacks in the first five games. But in his final seven games, Simmons exploded for 9.5 sacks, including two multi-sack performances against Oklahoma and Kentucky.
The former Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award winner will have one more season as a Longhorn before likely forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.