Intangibles-1-Leader. Hard worker on and off the field. Defensive tone setter. Parents are Jeff and Zebbie Borland.
1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal
Inside Linebacker Specific Traits
Instincts/Recognition-1-Zach Thomas is obvious comparison due to height, but also similar in reaction skills and natural instincts vs. run, as blitzer and in coverage. Reads keys and rarely takes false steps. Above average job recognizing play action and sniffing out screens/draws. Has a nose for the ball and knows the angles. Playmaker and finisher.
Take-on Skills-2-Downhill run stopper that explodes into lead blockers and flashes ability to lift them off feet. Backs down from no challenge. Uses proper shoulder when taking on. Has very good initial striking ability to jolt blockers, and is quick enough to disengage/pursue before blocker regains balance. Short arms are only a factor when he fails to establish good positioning and/or allows blockers to lock out in phone booth. Struggles at times to keep blockers off of frame, especially taller, longer blockers that prevent him from making clean contact by locking out.
Range vs. Run-2-Plays fast. Diagnoses quickly, shows very good lateral agility to scrape down the line while keeping shoulders square. Shows a quick initial burst when turning to target, and also has very good closing speed on the field. Lacks good change-of-direction skills, so will be slow to redirect when caught over-pursuing. Outstanding motor, though. Never stops pursuing.
Tackling-2-Fills the hole and shows very good technique as a face-up tackler. Plays with reckless abandon and winds up leaving his feet (or lunging out of control) too often. Slow to redirect when he overruns a play. Short arms don't help in this area, either. But generally takes good angles, shows pop at the point of attack, and he works drive legs through contact. Does an exceptional job of punching/ripping at the ball while wrapping the ball carrier up and bringing him to the ground. Finished 2nd in FBS history with 15 career forced fumbles.
