Former Vikings LB Takes Coaching Gig at Wisconsin

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The Wisconsin Badgers hired Luke Fickell back in December to replace Paul Chryst, who compiled a 67-26 (.720) record in eight seasons. After a 2-3 start (0-2 in the Big Ten), Wisconsin pulled the trigger, and Fickell will have his first full season in 2023.

And in that adventure, former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Tuf Borland will be on Fickell’s staff. CDT Sports’ Chris Kwiecinski tweeted last Friday, “Luke Fickell has hired Tuf Borland as a grad assistant at Wisconsin. Borland was an assistant on Rock Bridge’s staff this year, which was a game away from winning a district title. He helped develop a fake punt play that was key in beating Helias.”

Former Vikings LB Takes Coaching Gig at Wisconsin

Borland, 24, had a stint with the Vikings in 2021.

Former Vikings LB Takes
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tuf Borland was among 14 former Ohio State players to receive invitations to the NFL scouting combine. © Photo by Joshua A. Bickel via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

The former Buckeye played two Vikings games in Mike Zimmer’s final season, versus Pittsburgh in Week 14 and at Chicago in Week 18, in a special teams capacity. He took no defensive snaps in 2021. As a member of the National Champion runner-up Buckeyes of 2020, Borland gained attention as an undrafted free agent in the 2021 class. He also has a catchy and memorable name, and Vikings fans don’t forget a man named Tuf.

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The Vikings released Borland on May 16th, 2022, to make room for undrafted rookie linebacker William Kwenkeu who ended up remaining on the team for the entire 2023 season. As a Buckeye, Borland recorded 229 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two interceptions in five years at Ohio State.

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Borland reached the 2020 CFP National Championship, outlasting the Clemson Tigers 49-28 in the Sugar Bowl. It was the Tigers team with Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and Travis Etienne Jr. at running back. Lawrence darted to the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars three months later.

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Borland’s Buckeyes, 52-24, to win the National Championship that season.

In that final Ohio State hurrah for Borland, the defender became the second three-time captain in school history and finished second on the team with 48 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. He was also named an honorable mention All-Big Ten for the Buckeyes, his third consecutive year with the title.

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Borland was teammates with Nick Bosa, Justin Fields, Terry McLaurin, Denzel Ward, Chase Young, and notable others at Ohio State.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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