Rusty Mansell - 247Sports
2021 ATH Chief Borders Commits to Florida - Quick Scouting Report
Make that two 2021 commitments to Florida from McEachern High School of Powder Springs, Georgia.
Chief Borders, who stands at 6-3, 230 lbs and is considered an athlete by 247Sports, has committed to the University of Florida following their 56-0, blowout victory over Vanderbilt in The Swamp on Saturday.
The 2021 prospect has received offers from 22 schools across all Power 5 conferences, but elected to commit to Florida following a visit to campus on Saturday, as reported by Corey Bender of GatorsTerritory. Borders also visited UF this past summer.
Borders is teammates with Florida's 2021 quarterback commit, Carlos Del Rio. GatorMaven recruiting expert Brian Smith interviewed Del Rio and live scouted his practice late last month, while on a scouting trip throughout Georgia.
As a junior, Borders has recorded 26 tackles, an interception, and a sack while playing eight games at outside linebacker. A lengthy prospect, Borders sets a mean edge when playing a wide-9 technique standing linebacker. His size, athleticism, and traits best project to the Gators' BUCK pass-rushing position, where Jonathan Greenard, Jeremiah Moon, Khris Bogle, and Mohamoud Diabate have wreaked havoc for Florida this past season.
Borders packs athleticism into his lengthy frame to create pressure in the backfield, even if it doesn’t always lead to sacks. He redirects outside runs and turns corners well to put stress on the quarterback. He wins with a swim move off of the edge, and he processes what's in front of him well through blocks and line congestion. He anticipates where the ball will go and is often correct.
He is a sound tackler, utilizing his length to fully wrap up ball carries and drives to finish. With violent hands, it isn't difficult for Borders to get off blocks in space. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and defensive line coach David Turner develop his game to beat SEC offensive tackles, as Borders certainly has the traits to be capable of doing it.
It would be ideal to see Borders add another finesse move to his arsenal for outside rushes and containment plays, as well as develop as some power moves when working inside from a 5/6-technique alignment.
McEachern has also played Borders off the ball as an outside linebacker, in alignments that resemble Florida's STAR nickel cornerback position. 6-6, 230 lb. defensive end Jeremiah Moon has lined up at STAR for the Gators plenty this season, so it's reasonable to assume that Borders could get reps there in orange and blue. Diabate has seen time at the position as well.
A cherry on top? Borders is also a special teams contributor - he is a long strider who covers field well on kickoffs.
You can welcome Chief to the Florida Gators by following him on Twitter here.
