Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft: Prospects with hometown ties
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears Draft Prospects with Hometown Ties: LB Tuf Borland
Hometown: Bollingbrook, IL
Also a potential late-round find, Ohio State linebacker Tuf Borland would be coming home to Chicago if the Bears selected him. Borland grew up in Bollingbrook, IL and attended high school there as well. His dad played linebacker at Wisconsin, but instead of following in his father’s footsteps, Borland went to a Big Ten rival.
More from Da Windy City
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
- The Chicago Blackhawks are these two things right now
He is not related to former NFL linebacker Chris Borland, although many people initially make that assumption.
Borland is a long-time starter for the Buckeyes defense and is a fairly seasoned inside linebacker prospect. He’s a little undersized at just six feet tall and weighing 229 pounds. But, he’s a smart player.
Borland doesn’t do anything especially elite, but he is more of a guy who finds himself in the right position at the right time. He’s a good, pure football player and because of that, he will be a great special teams ace at the very least.
The Bears have to start thinking about moving on from Danny Trevathan after this season and will want some depth at that spot. Borland is a leader of men and a team captain. He would be a solid candidate to groom behind Roquan Smith and Trevathan to potentially give him a shot at starting in a couple of years.
In four seasons starting for the Buckeyes, Borland has totaled 228 tackles, including 19.0 for a loss and 6.5 sacks. He’s also secured a pair of interceptions and a couple of forced fumbles.