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Borghi

Borghi (5'10/205) announced he was declaring for the draft back in December. He’s had the chance to show more of what he can do throughout the offseason and training, including with an invite to the combine. His official measurements were released Friday and are as follows: 5-foot-9, 210 pounds 29 5/8" arms and 9 1/8" hands.

Borghi (5'10/205) announced on December 13th that he would be declaring for the draft, but it was more clear on Tuesday that he would in fact miss the team’s bowl game. The Cougars are likely to feature more of sixth-year running back Deon McIntosh in their bowl game against Miami. This season, McIntosh has rushed for 538 yards and three touchdowns on 111 carries while also catching 14 passes for 114 yards and another score.

It has yet to be announced whether or not Borghi (5'10/205) would opt out of his team’s bowl game on December 31st, although it wouldn’t be surprising if he did so. Borghi was long expected to declare for the draft at the end of this season, after totaling 880 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the year, while catching 16 passes for another 156 yards. Borghi has been a dual-threat back for the Cougs since a breakout season in 2019 where he rushed for 817 yards and 11 touchdowns (6.4 yards per carry) while catching 86 passes for 597 yards and another five touchdowns.

Not only did Borghi tie the Washington State career touchdown record with 41, Borghi (5'10/205) had a 50-yard touchdown called back due to a holding penalty. Early and often, Borghi was torching the Huskies rush defense, culminating the first drive with a 32-yard touchdown off left tackle. Announcing earlier this month that this would be his last season with the Cougars, Borghi is making the most of his final games for the Cougars. Borghi will have at least one more game for the team and it could be two with an Oregon State win on Saturday sending the Cougars to the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday.

Borghi (5'10/205) had himself a great day in his final home game for the Cougars. Mostly known for being a great receiving back, Borghi had a fantastic rushing day. His first touchdown was the best run of the game. He started the scoring on the Cougars second drive of the first quarter, taking a well-designed draw play 26-yards up the middle for an easy touchdown. Where Borghi will take his career after this is up in the air right now, but it feels like both the transfer portal and the NFL Draft are in play. The Cougars finish the regular season with the Apple Cup next weekend against Washington.

Borghi (5'10/205) also caught four passes for 36 yards. He had a pair of one-yard plunges in the second half, and he also opened the scoring with an 11-yard scamper in the first quarter. Borghi now has eight touchdowns on the season, and is showing flashes of the rushing/receiving prowess he showed in the old Mike Leach offense. Old being two years ago, of course. Borghi will try and repeat his effort but with a win next week against Arizona State.

This is big news for the Cougars, as Borghi (5'10/205) and de Laura are two of the team’s most important playmakers. Borghi is effective as both a rusher and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Should he encounter any issues, that would mean even more reps for talented backup Deon McIntosh. As for de Laura, he’s backed up by Jarrett Guarantano and Cammon Cooper.

Borghi (5'10/205) was listed as questionable just 24-hours ago, but it sounds like he will be good to go according to head coach Nick Rolovich as the Cougars (1-3) prepare to travel to Cal (1-3) for this weekend’s Pac-12 matchup. Borghi has appeared in all four games for Washington State this season, rushing 43 times for 259 yards and two touchdowns. If Borghi is unable to go on Saturday, running back Deon McIntosh will be next in line for work.

Borghi (5'10/205) was injured during the first half of Saturday’s game, and came out of the locker room with a sling on his left arm after halftime. The redshirt junior rushed for 42 yards on six carries before exiting, with the Cougars rushing the ball just eight times in the second half following his departure. Deon McIntosh will take over the lion’s share of rushing duties at Cal this Saturday if Borghi remains sidelined.

Already without its starting quarterback, Washington State is now without its starting running back and top offensive weapon. Borghi (5'10/205) was injured during the first half of Saturday’s game, and came out of the locker room in “street clothes” after halftime. The redshirt junior rushed for 42 yards on six carries before exiting. Deon McIntosh takes over as Washington State’s top ball-carrier with Borghi sidelined.