Selflessness is defined as the ability to put other people’s needs first. For senior defensive lineman Honorio Borba it is a quality he has spent his career embodying.
A captain from Freeville, N.Y., near Ithaca, Borba came to Rensselaer as a linebacker, but quickly faced a tough challenge when he was asked to convert to the defensive line. It has become a move that really showcases Honorio’s passion and commitment to the success of his team.
Following a season on the junior varsity, Honorio settled into his role during his sophomore campaign. He played in seven games as the Engineers marched toward the NCAA Tournament Semi-Finals that season. He finished with 12 tackles, including seven unassisted, while battling through a tough ankle injury that forced him to miss several games. He had at least one tackle in each game he played.
“All he wants to do is to be the best player he can be and help the team in anyway possible,” says King. “You’re not going to have great stats at his position. The other guys around him have better stats because of him. The fact that he’s a real force in the middle of the defensive line, you need somebody like that when you play the type of defense we do. He’s an unselfish guy who understands his role; he’s disciplined and understands the big picture.”
As a junior, Borba put forth a tremendous effort as he was healthy and able to start all nine games. He ranked first among down linemen – and fifth on the team –with 59 tackles, including 22 unassisted. He had 2.5 tackles for lost yards (8) and a four-yard sack. Some of his best games came against Liberty League foes, including a season-high 13 tackles (5 solos) in a Transit Trophy Game win over WPI and a season-high six unassisted tackles in a win at Rochester. He was selected as the Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week once, picked as an ECAC Northwest Weekly Honorable Mention and was named the Team’s Defensive Most Improved Player at season’s end.
“He has made himself into a very good football player,” says head coach Joe King. “He’s one of the strongest kids on the team and he gives you great effort everyday in practice. He’s another one of those kids who leads by example.”
Nearly at the half-way point of his final season, Borba has been a force inside. He enters today’s game with 12 tackles, including two unassisted, a sack which resulted in a four-yard loss and a 19-yard fumble recovery in a win over Utica.
“What Honorio lacks in size, he makes up for in speed and quickness because of his dedication,” explains senior linebacker Grant Cochran.
It was that speed and quickness that almost got Borba into the end zone on that fumble recovery against the Pioneers.
“It was awesome,” the Dryden High School graduate said. “When I first fell on the ground it took me a minute to realize there was a fumble. I quickly picked up the ball and just started running. My biggest concern was to not fumble it myself. When I was brought down on the two-yard line I was excited. My teammates, the crowd, the overall energy was great. I got a lot of jokes afterward about not scoring but I was happy all the same.”
While the rumble toward the end zone was one of the most exciting individual plays for Honorio, the contest at Hobart, a thrilling 56-48 triple overtime loss, the following week was one of the most exciting games.
“We were like two different teams,” he said. “But I think we proved how strong this team is by battling back from such a deficit (24-6 at halftime). It was probably the most exciting game I’ve ever been a part of.”
Although it was a tough loss, Borba and the rest of the team’s leaders kept the Engineers focused on the present, which meant concentrating on a tough road game at Coast Guard for the Shot Glass Trophy. The Engineers’ defense was stellar, holding Coast Guard out of the end zone for a 17-3 Liberty League win. While his numbers were not exactly eye-popping (1 tackle), Borba’s contributions were tremendous.
“Honorio is a shining example of someone who makes everyone’s job easier,” explains Cochran. “As an interior player he is routinely taking on double teams and freeing up a linebacker to make the play. He clogs up running lanes and is able to hurry the quarterback. Rarely do quarterbacks at this level throw interceptions for no reason. Usually it’s because a lineman, like Borba, is in his face forcing him to make bad decisions.
“I base our entire defensive performance on the play of the line. If our defensive line messes up their assignments it is impossible for the rest of the defense to make up for it. On the other hand when the D-line fulfills their assignments it makes the entire defense work.”
Such was the case against the Bears and the same must hold true should Rensselaer expect improve upon its current 3-1 record.
For Borba, that means continued hard work, a value he has exhibited everyday over the past three-and-a-half seasons – be it in practice, a game, in team meetings and in class.
The value of the effort Borba puts forth everyday to make the team its best– is not lost on his teammates.
A mechanical engineering major, Borba has faced academic challenges that have proved to be as tough as switching positions in football. Getting into Rensselaer was his first accomplishment. Succeeding with his education has been his proudest. Focusing his energy into becoming a stronger person has led him to triumph.
“This football program and institution have taught me that there is no limit on what I am capable,” he explains. “I first thought that I couldn’t cut it in the classroom or on the field. But I put in a lot of hard work as a student, a captain and a contributor on my team. Nothing comes easy. What you put in is what you’re going to get out.”
When he graduates in May, Borba hopes to work in the automotive field as a parts designer. He is likely to reach that goal because of the lessons he has learned both on and off the field.
“I want people to look to me for guidance and see what can happen when you strive for something that you want in life,” says Borba, who undoubtedly will leave a legacy of someone who has demonstrated hard work and unselfishness for the betterment of the team.
“He’s going to be a great success when he leaves Rensselaer, because he’s got all the qualities you’re looking for in a person,” explains King. “Hard-working, persistent, tough despite injuries. He’s truly grown into an outstanding person.”
