Tuf Borland's NFL opportunity will come in Minnesota.
The former Ohio State linebacker is signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.
Hustles. Hits. Has the heart of a lion, and of course - is tough. @Tuf_Borland is going to the @Vikings #GoBuckeyes #DevelopedHere #NFLDraft #H2 pic.twitter.com/J43vojlV8o
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 2, 2021
Borland is the second member of last year's Ohio State team headed to the Vikings, joining third-round pick Wyatt Davis. They join Jalyn Holmes as former Buckeyes on the Vikings' roster.
Concerns about his athleticism and overall speed likely led to Borland going undrafted, but his experience as a three-time captain, ability to stop the run as an inside linebacker and experience on special teams will give him a chance to compete for a roster spot.
A Bolingbrook, Illinois native who came to the Buckeyes as the No. 22-ranked outside linebacker in the 2016 recruiting class, Borland helped lead Ohio State's defense to four consecutive Big Ten championships. Borland was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention as a Buckeye, starting in 31 of the 49 games in which he played.
He recorded at least 50 tackles every year from 2017-19 and then racked up 48 tackles in seven games during the shortened 2020 campaign. He finished with 228 career tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks.
