« Football 2013

Chris Borland

School
Wisconsin
Position
Linebacker
Major
History

Classroom

A history major, Borland is on pace to graduate in December of 2013.

Character

Borland is a two-time team captain who is known for his activities in the community. As a sophomore, Borland worried his career might be over following a third shoulder surgery that caused him to take a medical redshirt after playing in just two early-season games.

Community

Borland has led the Badgers in community service during his five-year career, amassing over 100 volunteer hours in his first four years as a Badger. He currently leads all Badgers (regardless of sport) in community service hours with more than 90 since May. In his fifth and final year of eligibility Borland has gone above and beyond, amassing 60 hours of community service in the summer before his final season alone. Borland leads the team in visiting the local children’s hospital, participating in charity golf tournaments and inspiring local youth during elementary school visits. In August, 2013, he took the initiative to spearhead his own charitable effort- starting a chapter of Uplifting Athletes at the University of Wisconsin. Uplifting Athletes is a national non-profit organization that aligns college football players with rare diseases to raise awareness and funding for research. Borland brought the organization to campus after meeting 14-year-old Darien Moran while assisting in fulfilling the young boy’s wish for a football-themed bedroom makeover through Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Borland and his teammates Jeff Lewis and Kyle Zuleger organized a strong-man competition to raise money to fund research for Moran’s disease, Lagerhans Cell Histiocytosis X. Their inaugural event raised over $1,000.00.

Competition

Borland was named to the preseason watch lists for Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. A first team All-Big Ten by the coaches in 2012, he begins his senior season with 13 forced fumbles, one shy of tying FBS career record (14). Borland has also recorded 41.5 career TFLs to rank fourth among active FBS players. He has started 34 games for the Badgers, recording 308 tackles and needs 144 tackles this season to become UW’s all-time career leader. Borland was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2011 and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2009. Following the 2013 season Borland was named 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and is a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy for achievement on and off the field.