Nebraska Walk-On Tanner Borchardt Awarded Scholarship By 'Santa Miles'

It's hard to get a much better Christmas present than the one that Nebraska basketball walk-on Tanner Borchardt received on Friday night.

The Huskers picked up their ninth win of the season last night, topping Delaware State 85-68. Tanner Borchardt, a junior walk-on forward from Gothenburg, Nebraska, played three minutes in the outing.

Playing time has to be a thrill for a walk-on. The highlight of Borchardt's day came after the game, however.

Head coach Tim Miles entered the locker room dressed in a Santa Claus hat and beard following Nebraska's final game before Christmas, and had cookies for his players. Borchardt received the last one, which featured a special message: "congratulations on the scholarship."

By all accounts, Borchardt is a fantastic candidate for a scholarship. The high school star athlete was also an all-state football player, who was recruited by multiple FBS programs, and was a state shot put champion in track & field.

Instead of pursuing football, Borchardt chose to attend his home state flagship school and walk-on to the basketball program. Two years later, that decision has paid off big-time.

Borchardt is an Academic All-Big Ten player for the Huskers.