Four years ago, Max Borghi wrestled with his college decision. He had verbally committed to play at Washington State, but Stanford came in late with a scholarship offer that gave Borghi serious pause.
After some suspense, the former Pomona star went with the Cougars, a decision that paid off as the running back put together a stellar college career before declaring for the NFL draft on Monday.
“I look back at that decision and I’m really happy with it,” Borghi said. “It turned out for the best…But the whole recruiting process was pretty crazy, with Stanford coming in and trying to change my mind, and Washington State (coaches and fans) were freaking out.”
Borghi emerged as a dual-threat workhorse at WSU. The two-year captain had 369 carries for 2,158 yards along with 156 catches for 1,134 yards while tying Steve Broussard for the school record with 41 total touchdowns.
That production came though Borghi played for three different head coaches (Mike Leach, Nick Rolovich and Jake Dickert) and three different running back coaches across his four years. The Cougars started 1-3 this season. And midway through the year Rolovich and four assistants were fired for refusing to comply with the state’s COVID vaccine mandate.
Washington State finished the regular season 3-2 to become bowl eligible. That included a 40-13 romp over Washington in the Apple Cup during which Borghi rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
“I just stayed the course, and as teammates we counted on each other,” Borghi said. “Our team knew what we were capable of, and we knew we had a lot of talent. We rallied with each other, and whatever adversity that hit us, we hit it right back in the mouth.”
Borghi said it was a difficult decision to opt out of WSU’s Sun Bowl against Miami on Dec. 31.
“I wish I was there with my team and playing, but looking at the reality of it, it’s in my best interest not to play,” Borghi said. “At the end of the day I’ve got to do what’s best for (my draft prospects), especially playing the position I play. It’s high risk, and I’m nothing without my O-line, and we’re missing a right tackle, left tackle and starting guard. It didn’t seem worth it to me to risk injury.”
The 2017 winner of the traveled to Arizona on Wednesday, where he will be training for the NFL Scouting Combine the next couple months. Borghi said that despite a strong career at WSU, “I feel like I haven’t been unleashed yet like I fully can be.”
“It’s not about the round, and it’s not about the money for me. It’s about the opportunity,” he said. “I’ve dreamed of (the NFL) my whole life, and if someone’s willing to give me the opportunity — whether it’s the second round, fourth round, seventh round, undrafted — I’ll be grateful and ready to work and show them exactly what I’m about.”
