Tanor Bortolini

Tanor Bortolini
No. 60 – Indianapolis Colts
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born: (2002-06-18) June 18, 2002 (age 22)
Kewaunee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:303 lb (137 kg)
Career information
High school:Kewaunee (WI)
College:Wisconsin (2020–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 4 / pick: 117
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Tanor Bortolini (born June 18, 2002) is an American professional football guard for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin.

Early life

Bortolini was born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin where he attended Kewaunee High School. Coming out of high school Bortolini held offers from schools such as Columbia, Dartmouth, Iowa, Miami, and Wisconsin.[1] Bortolini decided to commit to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.[2][3]

College career

In Bortolini's freshman season in the COVID shortened 2020 season, he played in just two games.[4] During the 2021 season, Bortolini played in ten games making five starts at guard.[5] In the 2022 season, Bortolini appeared in eleven games making ten starts, while allowing just one sack on the season, where for his performance he was named honorable mention all Big-Ten.[6]

Bortolini entered the 2023 season, as the Badgers starting center.[7] In week three of the 2023 season in a win over Georgia Southern, Bortolini struggled making three errant snaps.[8] During the 2023 season, Bortolini played in 12 games starting in all of them while earning the highest PFF grade on the Badgers.[9] For his performance on the 2023 season, Bortolini was named third team all Big-Ten.[10] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Bortolini decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.[11][12]

In Bortolini's career he played in 34 games making 28 starts, while starting games at offensive tackle, guard, and center.[13]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m) 		303 lb
(137 kg) 		31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.94 s 1.69 s 2.84 s 4.28 s 7.16 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)		 9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		 27 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[14][15]

Bortolini was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 4th round (117th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.[16] His early development was hindered by a sprained big toe suffered in the team's second preseason game, an injury which sidelined him from practice for the rest of preseason.[17]

He first started for the Colts in their week 4 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, owing to a neck injury suffered in practice by veteran starting center Ryan Kelly.[17] Bortolini was able to take practice reps with the first team for two practices preceding the Steeler game, helping him ease into the starting role.[17] During the first series of the game, the Colts capped a long drive with a powerful Bortolini block leading running back Jonathan Taylor into the end zone for a touchdown.[17] Bortolini captured attention racing the length of the Colts' sideline slapping high-fives with anyone within reach.[17]

After the game, Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter quipped, "Man, first game, he was damn sure excited to be out there. We’re trying to get the GPS data on that top speed there."[17]

References

  1. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (December 7, 2020). "Tanor Bortolini wasn't flawless in his debut at center for UW, but his high school coach believes he can flourish". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (May 28, 2019). "Badgers secure oral commitment from Kewaunee OT for 2020 class". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Temple, Jesse (May 31, 2019). "Tanor Bortolini worked his way onto Wisconsin's radar, and earned a spot in its crowded 2020 O-line class". The Athletic. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Stone, Ethan (December 14, 2023). "Tanor Bortolini, veteran Wisconsin OL, makes decision on future with Badgers". Saturday Tradition. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Potrykus, Jeff. "Tanor Bortolini working at center on Wisconsin Badgers offensive line". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  6. ^ Peery, Wade (December 13, 2023). "Wisconsin OL Tanor Bortolini declares for 2024 NFL Draft". On3.com. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (October 11, 2023). "Wisconsin's Tanor Bortolini learns that playing center isn't always a snap". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (September 18, 2023). "Center Tanor Bortolini had to settle down, overcome errant snaps in Wisconsin's victory". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  9. ^ Temple, Jesse (December 14, 2023). "Wisconsin football exit interview: Tanor Bortolini on entering NFL Draft, Badgers' future". The Athletic. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (November 29, 2023). "Tanor Bortolini, Jack Nelson must decide whether to enter NFL draft or return to Wisconsin". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Bruesewitz, Nick (December 14, 2023). "Wisconsin offensive lineman declares for NFL Draft". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Schumacher, Thomas (December 14, 2023). "Badgers OL Tanor Bortolini Declares For 2024 NFL Draft". WSAU.com. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (December 13, 2023). "Wisconsin Badgers' Tanor Bortolini announces he will enter the 2024 NFL draft". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  14. ^ "Tanor Bortolini Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Tanor Bortolini College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Chakravarthi, Rohan (April 27, 2024). "BREAKING: Colts select Badgers OL Tanor Bortolini with No. 117 pick". Bucky's 5th Quarter. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Joel A. Erickson, "How 6-4, 303-pound Colts Rookie Tanor Bortolini Ended Up Racing Down the Sidelines in Joy," Indianapolis Star, www.indystar.com, Oct. 2, 2024.