Mike Taylor was surprised as anyone else when the news broke Monday night that Chris Borland was walking away from the NFL after only one season.

Together, the two linebackers lived their childhood dream on the University of Wisconsin defense. Now on the brink of stardom with the San Francisco 49ers, everyone assumed Borland would slide into a permanent starting role this year in the wake of Patrick Willis' retirement.

Instead, he opted to join him.

Rehabbing from recent hip surgery in Seattle, Taylor tried to make sense of it all. Why would his former teammate walk away? The more Taylor thought about it, however, the clearer Borland's decision became.

"I think anyone would kind of be surprised," said Taylor, a native of Ashwaubenon and linebacker for the Badgers from 2008-12. "But after thinking about it and listening and reading things about it, it would really be surprising and more shocking for players to want to keep playing if (they) are in serious pain and you have serious doubts about your future, not only football-wise but health-wise.

"When it comes to your head and your brain, I think that's the one injury that you have to be really smart about. Chris is a really tough guy and it's one thing to endure pain from surgery or a broken bone, but who knows with the brain what could happen?"

That uncertainty seems to have triggered an uptick in early retirements. Since the start of free agency, quarterback Jake Locker and linebacker Jason Worilds announced their intention to step away from the game instead of signing new contracts elsewhere.

Borland's one-and-done is unconventional. Few walk away on their own terms, especially at 24 years old. However, Borland told ESPN that he wasn't going to jeopardize his future. His concern about the long-term effects of head trauma outweighed the fame and riches that coincide with it.

Taylor has asked himself the same question before — is it all worth it? The Seattle Seahawks linebacker has undergone 10 surgeries in his 25 years. He's currently facing a lengthy rehab after hip surgery in January, an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2014 NFL season.

Taylor acknowledges this particular injury could affect him down the road, but he still plans on playing again. It's a decision individuals have to make for themselves. The long-term ramifications are something Taylor came to terms with during his final years at Wisconsin.

Taylor lists off several former teammates, including quarterback Curt Phillips and linebacker Ethan Armstrong, who dealt with repeated significant injuries. Tight end Sam Arneson declined an invite to last month's combine citing injuries.

"I know there's going to be a time where it's going to catch up to me. I'll probably have regrets about playing football or doing all of that," Taylor said. "We've talked about the effects that we may have or may not have in the future. It's sad to think that young guys like us — knowing already that when we're older we might be in wheelchairs or hip replacements, knee replacements. I guess that's what football is and it's sad because you kind of have to accept that. Nobody wants to be bound to a wheelchair or be on crutches or be in pain walking with a limp. Obviously that's not fun.

"You only get one body in life and I think Chris … he realizes you only get one body. You only get one life and he wants to live a good life."

Borland leaves behind a special talent in doing so. When Borland hit campus in summer 2009, Taylor needed only a handful of practices to know what kind of football player Wisconsin was getting.

He wasn't the fastest or largest player on the field, but there was something about the 5-foot-11, 245-pound linebacker that you couldn't time or measure. Borland was just special. His instincts and knowledge of the game were head and shoulders above his peers.

There were obstacles. Borland suffered a shoulder injury during his sophomore year that forced him to take a medical redshirt. Taylor could relate. The Ashwaubenon native has dealt with a number of injuries and missed his freshman year because of neck surgery.

The two finally lined up together in the Badgers' defense in 2011. For the next two seasons, Taylor and Borland led Wisconsin in tackles. They were the cornerstone of a defense that propelled the Badgers to back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances.

Taylor saw big things in Borland's future. He just didn't envision his career being so short. He wasn't alone. The 49ers released a statement saying they were shocked, but supportive of his decision.

"Knowing Chris, his decision to retire at this time was well thought out and made after much consultation with people he trusts," Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said in a statement. "He obviously feels that this is the best decision for him, personally. He will always be a part of the Badger family and we wish him the best in whatever his future may hold."

Taylor and Borland never talked a lot about injuries in college. No one really did. That's why he believes Borland's decision to walk away "might start the conversation a little bit about it."

One thing about the native of Kettering, Ohio, is he always was proactive. He's not the type of individual who will do anything because someone else wants him to. He does it if it's something he believes in. He told ESPN he plans to go back to school and possibly work toward a sports management degree.

Taylor stepped briefly into the working world last year. He worked at a Milwaukee-based staffing agency for one week before the Seahawks called. He was thankful they did despite his newest injury.

"The guys that do have injuries, they're going to be the first ones to realize and say, 'This isn't good for you,'" Taylor said. "It's sad. Growing up, young kids don't think about getting hurt, being on crutches and limping or having 10, 20 surgeries. They think about having fun, scoring touchdowns, making big plays, playing in front of a Camp Randall Stadium crowd."

For all the injuries Taylor has battled, concussions haven't been an issue. He's always been mindful of keeping his head away from collisions. That's why he altered his technique during his junior year at Wisconsin.

At the end of the day, Borland played long enough to prove his doubters wrong. A lot of pundits thought he was too small to make a sizable impact in the NFL. Taylor never quite understood that. Borland wound up with 108 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in 14 games and eight starts.

His decision to walk away this week will only build upon that legacy.

"If you keep playing and you keep having doubts and thinking about it — it only makes sense I think to do that," Taylor said. "It takes courage to do that. Chris is smart and he definitely knows what he is doing. To make a decision like this, he would never be wishy-washy or unsure, so for him to do that, I know just based on him making the decision that it's the right decision for him."

—whodkiew@pressgazette and follow him on Twitter @WesHod.