Honors & Awards
• Academic All-Big Ten (2017, 2018, 2019)
• NABC Honors Court (2017, 2018)
• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2015, 2017, 2018; Spring 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
• Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2016, 2019)
2018-19 (Outlook)
Throughout his time at Nebraska, Tanner Borchardt (pronounced Bor-kart) has shown what hard work and dedication can do. After making the team through a tryout in 2015, Borchardt has lost nearly 35 pounds in the last two years and put himself in position to play valuable minutes this season. Borchardt, who was recruited by several Division I schools to play offensive tackle, played in 20 games last year when the Huskers needed a physical presence inside. His work was rewarded in December of 2017, when he was put on scholarship. The move paid off quickly, as he set career highs in points (eight), rebounds (10) and blocked shots (two) in 14 minutes to help the Huskers subdue Stetson. At 6-foor-8, 250 pounds, Borchardt can provide muscle for the Huskers off the bench, and he possesses a good understanding of the game. Borchardt is in line to play major minutes following the departure of Duby Okeke and Jordy Tshimanga.
2017-18 (Junior)
Borchardt provided size and depth the post for the Husker front line. He played in 20 games, averaging 0.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in just under six minutes per contest. Borchardt played 10 or more minutes five times, including three times in Big Ten action. He played in NU’s first seven games, scoring three points and grabbing three rebounds in five minutes against North Texas on Nov. 13, and adding three rebounds against both Marist (Nov. 24) and Long Beach State (Nov. 26). Borchardt played a then-career-high 11 minutes at No. 3 Michigan State on Dec. 3, pulling down three rebounds and dishing out an assist but did not play in NU’s next four contests.
Borchardt played the final three minutes against Delaware State on Dec. 22, and was surprised by the team as he was placed on scholarship for the second semester. His hard work in practice paid off against Stetson on Dec. 29, when he came off the bench in the second half to set career high in points (eight), rebounds (10) and blocked shots (two) in 14 second-half minutes, as the Huskers rallied for the nine-point win. Borchardt keyed another second-half comeback at Northwestern on Jan. 2, as he had four points, two rebounds and two blocked shots in 12 minutes as Nebraska pulled away down the stretch. He played in NU’s next six games, including grabbing four rebounds in 13 minutes in an overtime loss at Penn State on Jan. 12, but saw his role reduced as Nebraska went to a smaller lineup during the second half of Big Ten play. He played just five minutes in NU’s last 11 contests.
2016-17 (Sophomore)
Borchardt rejoined the Husker program on Feb. 2, 2017, and served as a valuable practice player for the Huskers. He appeared in one game, playing the final minute against Penn State on Feb. 14.
2015-16 (Freshman)
A late addition to the Husker roster, Borchardt joined the Huskers after making the team in an open tryout in October. He appeared in eight contests, totaling six points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes of work. He set season bests in points (four) and rebounds (two) in four minutes of work against Mississippi Valley State in the opener on Nov. 14. It marked one of three games where he grabbed two rebounds, as he also did twice against Rutgers (Jan. 9 and Feb. 3). In all, he grabbed at least one rebound in six of his eight appearances.
Before Nebraska
Borchardt was a multi-sport standout at Gothenburg High School, and was a finalist for the Lincoln Journal Star Male Athlete of the Year. On the basketball court, he totaled 1,191 career points, 875 rebounds and 186 blocks during his four-year career. As a senior, he averaged 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.4 assists per game, earning second-team Class C-1 honors. His best performance came against Cozad when he had 29 points and 22 rebounds. In addition to his basketball exploits, he was a first-team all-state defensive lineman who averaged nearly seven tackles per game and also won the all-class Gold Medal at the state track meet in the shot put with a throw of 59-6. Borchardt was recruited by several Division I programs in football, including Wyoming, Colorado State and Ohio among others. He was also an excellent performer in the classroom, as he was named valedictorian of his class and was an Academic All-State pick by the Lincoln Journal Star.
Personal
Tanner is the son of Mark and Annette Borchardt, and was born on Jan. 7, 1997, in Lincoln. He has one older brother, Travis, and two sisters, Tressa and Tasia. Borchardt was a management major and earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in May of 2019. He is a three-time academic All-Big Ten selection. He was a seven-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. He was also named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in 2016 and 2019.