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For nearly two decades, Dettmann trained foot-
ball players for coaches Barry Alvarez and Bret
Bielema. In addition to Borland, he's also working
with Ethan Hemer, Tyler Dippel and Jerry Ponio.
In applying for combine credentials, Dettmann
casually mentioned to the event's director, a former
NFL scout, "Just so you know, Chris Borland is the
defensive version of Russell Wilson."
The reasoning was clear on why he would plant
such a seed given the fact that the 5-foot-11 Bor-
land, like the 5-11 Wilson, will not "measure up" to
what some teams will have in mind for a linebacker.
"Russell maybe does help me; it definitely doesn't
hurt," Borland said. "If anything, it's saying that you
don't have to be a prototypical guy; there are other
things that you can do to have success."
Coming out of Wisconsin, Wilson was viewed as a
"short" quarterback. He still is ― short ― but he has
been fitted with a Super Bowl ring after leading the
Seattle Seahawks to an NFL championship.
"There are a lot of different things you can do
with a quarterback with play-action and moving the
pocket," said Borland, conceding how players can be
projected differently by position.
"But there have been a lot of other short lineback-
ers, too. I'm 5-11 and a half. One more inch and I'm
in the range of average. What does that really mean
if a guy can play football?
"I understand the concerns. When they're paying
guys a lot of money, they want to make sure you can
get it done and I'm confident that I can, even though
I'm under 6 feet."
Eyeing the combine testing, he said, "They all
know how tall I am. I'm preparing to lift and run and
interview and I think I'll do well in those categories,
all of the things that I can control."
• • • •
"THEY ALL KNOW HOW TALL I AM,"
BORLAND SAID. "I'M PREPARING TO LIFT
AND RUN AND INTERVIEW AND I THINK
I'LL DO WELL IN THOSE CATEGORIES, ALL
OF THE THINGS THAT I CAN CONTROL."
WATCH: CHRIS BORLAND HIGHLIGHTS
