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LB Tuf Borland (3x Captain, 2021 Sugar Bowl Def POG)



3. TUF BORLAND, LB (1,336 SNAPS)
Set to be just the second three-time captain in Ohio State history (following J.T. Barrett), Borland has started 34 games for the Buckeyes over the last three years, the most of any returning player. Regarded as an excellent team leader, Borland will continue to man the middle linebacker spot and serve as a defensive signal-caller for Ohio State in 2020.

Like Barrett, Borland’s play has been a polarizing topic among Ohio State fans, but inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, he’s as trusted and well-respected as any player on the roster. He’ll likely platoon at Mike with another linebacker such as Dallas Gant or Teradja Mitchell, just as he did with Browning for the past two years, but there’s no doubt he’ll continue to be on the field regularly as a fifth-year senior.
 
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Of course, he hears the critics and doubters. He knows what they have to say about his game. Luckily for Borland and the Buckeyes, he doesn’t care.

He just brushes it off. Borland is a hard-nosed middle linebacker who knows he has the talent he needs to make an impact at Ohio State for a third straight season.

The people in charge know it, too.

“[Borland] played his tail off,” Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington said. “He was instrumental to us and our success. Incredibly instrumental. He was one of the anchors. You talk about trust? I mean, I trust him — dare I say it — with my life. Out there on the field, I trust him tremendously. He played well, and he’s also a guy who will tell you there are things to work on, and he’s getting better.

“He’s an adult, he’s very mature — it’s hard to put into words. He meets like a coach, we watch film and he’s like an extension of a coach. It’s very comforting, because he’s also a guy who can lead and show young guys how to conduct their business because he’s been there.”
 
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This prediction is a "no brainer":



Tim May: Tuf Borland will become three-time Ohio State captain
For 10 points, here’s a trivia quiz: Who is the only three-time captain in modern Ohio State football history? That’s right, quarterback J.T. Barrett (20015, ’16, ’17). For 20 points: Who is expected to become just the second? That’s right. Linebacker Tuf Borland. The hard-working, seldom-yapping, bell-answering, sometimes bell-ringing senior-to-be is poised to join the club. The young man has lived up to his name, is headed toward his third season as a starter and has paid little attention to some critics who like to blame him it seems for everything from touchdowns relinquished to punts dropped. Now he’s about carve his name into the history book for being better than most people think, for being tougher than the average man and for being eager to enter the fray.
 
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Now, he’s in the Ohio State history book as he enters his last year. Borland was named a captain by his teammates and coaches Tuesday afternoon, making him just the second Buckeyes player to be a three-time captain. He joins former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett as the only three-time captains in school history.
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Especially Borland, who has faced plenty of criticism during his time at Ohio State, and has been able to brush it off and just keep playing. He’s officially among the best leaders in program history.

“You need that guy. You just need him,” Ohio State strength coach Mickey Marotti said earlier this year. “He’s one of the most dependable guys I’ve ever been around in my 30 years.”

Just sayin': A three time captain is a very exclusive club.
 
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A very 2020 photo

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TELECONFERENCE BULLETS: OHIO STATE’S SEVEN TEAM CAPTAINS TALK ABOUT LEADERSHIP, PREPARING FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED SEASON, STAYING SAFE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

TUF BORLAND
  • Borland on being a three-time Ohio State captain: “There's a huge responsibility that comes with that. All eyes are on you every day.”
  • On adapting to everything thrown the team's way this year: “The name of the game this year will be adapt to whatever rules and procedures are given.”
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...bullets-ohio-state-s-seven-team-captains-talk
 
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