Ahead of the season, EA Sports ranked the Texas defense at No. 8, and the Longhorns’ secondary has lived up to the hype over the last two weeks. A key factor in their success is the bond shared by three defensive backs whose connection goes back to childhood.
Junior defensive back Michael Taaffe, along with seniors Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba, all hail from Austin and have known each other since middle school. Despite attending different high schools, they stayed in touch.
“Who would’ve thought three guys from Austin would be leading this Longhorn defense?” Taaffe remarked during Monday’s media availability.
While both Taaffe and Barron are longtime Texas players, Mukuba is a new addition, having transferred from Clemson this offseason. During his three years with the Tigers, Mukuba racked up 149 tackles and was named a Freshman All-American in 2021. Even though he was over 1,000 miles away, he remained close with Barron, frequently calling him to discuss their performances.
“Jahdae is one of my best friends,” Mukuba shared. “We stayed in touch while I was at Clemson. After games, we’d call and critique each other’s play. I always kept up with Texas.”
Now back in his hometown, Mukuba has quickly adapted to the Longhorns’ style and has already made an impact, something his teammates have noticed.
“There wasn’t much of an adjustment for Mukuba,” said senior linebacker David Gbenda. “He came in, learned what he needed, and fit right in. He’s a great player, and we saw that early in practice.”
Last Saturday, Mukuba had a standout performance against Michigan, recording four tackles, three solo, and securing his first interception for Texas.
Mukuba’s return to Austin wasn’t random. By the time he entered the transfer portal, his childhood friends were already encouraging him to come back.
“Jahdae was the main one recruiting Andrew,” Taaffe said. “Once I saw he was in the portal, I texted him, and we knew what was up.”
Their longstanding friendship has translated into on-field chemistry, helping Texas build a strong defensive secondary. Mukuba expressed how much he enjoys being back with his friends.
“We’ve known each other since middle and high school,” Mukuba said. “Seeing how far we’ve come, both as players and as Austin natives, it’s just fun to be on the field with them.”
