As August 30th is right around the corner, I feel like the nickel position is just becoming too much of an overthinking factor into our defense. No i’m not saying it’s not important as it could well be the most important position to play on this defense, I just feel people are too worried about it. Some are claiming Taffe isn’t ready for the challenge, but i say and believe he’s the best guy for it. He is most likely the undisputed leader of not just the defense but the whole team. There’s no one who wants it more than Taffe, so I don’t think adjusting to a new position is going to slow him or our defense down. Plus when our head coach is giving praise to a true freshman that is going to rotate heavily in to get some snaps behind Taffe, what is there to worry about? Lastly it’s hard to worry about any of that when Julian Sayin is going to be pressured by Collin Simmons and E-Burke all game lol.

I tend to agree with this, but Texas as a team could have 10 sacks against Ohio State, and one busted play defensively could undo all of that and cost you the game.  Ask TreVeyon Henderson.

  With a brand new secondary coaching staff there is ample room for concern if that is your thing. Taffe is used to proving doubters wrong… no big deal. PK knows how to call adjustments when necessary and his backfield is loaded with talent. I think we will be fine.

The idea of second guessing. Akina is worth immediately dismissing 

FWIW in PK’s defense the nickel is probably the most important position on the unit. 

2 hours ago, OTFBrandon said:

As August 30th is right around the corner, I feel like the nickel position is just becoming too much of an overthinking factor into our defense. No i’m not saying it’s not important as it could well be the most important position to play on this defense, I just feel people are too worried about it. Some are claiming Taffe isn’t ready for the challenge, but i say and believe he’s the best guy for it. He is most likely the undisputed leader of not just the defense but the whole team. There’s no one who wants it more than Taffe, so I don’t think adjusting to a new position is going to slow him or our defense down. Plus when our head coach is giving praise to a true freshman that is going to rotate heavily in to get some snaps behind Taffe, what is there to worry about? Lastly it’s hard to worry about any of that when Julian Sayin is going to be pressured by Collin Simmons and E-Burke all game lol.

The great Rod Babers preaches positional versatility. Texas is cross training and will have layers of players as they match up against the opposition. Taaffes time at nickel versus safety etc will be dictated by the coaches game plan but he certainly provides value at the nickel, otherwise they would solely utilize him as the all American safety he was a season ago.

rod b just had a sunday school on the nickel.  great listen.

I tend to agree as well. Texas is going to be just fine at nickel. I question how much of Michael Taaffe we will see at the nickel spot, his presence back deep plus ability to communication is a greater strength imo. 

But between Littleton, Mack, McDonald, you’ve got plenty there.