Former Ohio State LB Joins Luke Fickell's New Wisconsin Staff

Former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tuf Borland is reuniting with Luke Fickell in Madison with the Wisconsin Badgers

Former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tuf Borland is turning in his cleats and picking up a whistle. He'll be seen on the Big Ten West sidelines this fall. 

According to the team website, Borland has joined the Wisconsin staff for the 2023 season. Per the team page, he is listed as a defensive graduate assistant. 

A three-year starter at Ohio State, Borland registered 229 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions during his five-year stay in Columbus. His best season came in 2018, where he finished with career-highs in tackles for loss (9.0) and sacks (3.0). 

Borland was influential in helping the Scarlet and Gray make the College Football Playoff and the national championship in 2020. He finished second on the team with 48 tackles, with 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and another interception.

Borland also became the second linebacker in program history to be named a three-time captain, joining former Butkus Award and Nagurski Award winner James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis, who played in eight NFL seasons with the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints, was recently hired by Ohio State as a graduate assistant. 

Undrafted in April of 2021, Borland signed a free-agent contract with Minnesota Vikings. He played in two games with the NFC North franchise, primarily seeing reps on special teams. He did not record a tackle en route to the Vikings' NFC Playoff push. 

He was released prior to the start of training camp last offseason. 

Borland will mentor under former Ohio State linebacker coach and defensive coordinator Luke Fickell. Fickell was hired by the Badgers in December to replace Paul Chryst after spending the previous six seasons at Cincinnati. 

Considered by many as the top Group of Five coaches in the country, Fickell led the Bearcats to a 57–18 overall record that featured three 10-plus win seasons. Cincinnati made history under Fickell in 2021 as the first non-Power 5 program to make the College Football Playoff. 

Prior to leaving for the AAC, Fickell was heavily influential in recruiting Borland and coached him during his freshman season in 2016. Borland's father, Kyle, also played linebacker at Wisconsin from 1979-82. 

The Badgers and Borland will play host to the Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 28. 

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