We're in the home stretch, folks. The postseason player countdown has reached its final two days (and six names). As a reminder, these rankings are based solely on performance during the 2013 season, not on future NFL potential. Up next is a player who gained respect from everyone he encountered during an exceptional career at Wisconsin.
No. 6: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
Previous ranking: No. 6
Making the case for Borland: He ended his exceptional career just like he started it, with a flurry of big plays and a collection of major awards. The 2009 Big Ten freshman of the year was named 2013 Big Ten defensive player of the year, and earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America.
Borland capped an incredibly productive career with 112 tackles, including 73 solo stops this season, despite missing time with a hamstring injury. He recorded two forced fumbles to set the Big Ten record with 15 for this career and added two fumble recoveries, 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Borland had seven double-digit tackle performances, matching his career high with 16 against Ohio State. He eclipsed 100 tackles in each of his final three seasons and finished with 420 career stops.
We'll probably take some heat for having Borland behind both Ohio State's Ryan Shazier and Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard, but it speaks more to what those two players accomplished than what Borland didn't do. He led Wisconsin's defense and adjusted seamlessly to a new coaching staff.
"He's such a great preparer," Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen said, "and his care factor is as good as anybody that I've ever been around."
Wisconsin might be known for running backs and offensive linemen, but Badgers fans won't forget what Borland accomplished in Madison. Neither will we.
No. 25: Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase
No. 24: Indiana WR Cody Latimer
No. 23: Michigan State RB Jeremy Langford
No. 22: Iowa LT Brandon Scherff
No. 21: Michigan WR Jeremy Gallon
No. 20: Michigan State QB Connor Cook
No. 19: Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis
No. 18: Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman
No. 17: Michigan State LB Denicos Allen
No. 16: Ohio State CB Bradley Roby
No. 15: Iowa LB James Morris
No. 14: Michigan State LB Max Bullough
No. 13: Ohio State OT Jack Mewhort
No. 12: Wisconsin RB James White
No. 11: Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon
No. 10: Nebraska DE Randy Gregory
No. 9: Michigan OT Taylor Lewan
No. 8: Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun
No. 7: Penn State WR Allen Robinson