Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher Is Gaining Serious NFL Draft Traction

Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher is one of the more exciting and unique defensive prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Drafted by the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB), Boettcher is an elite athlete who legitimately thrives in two sports. That natural ability has been refined and paired with a high-football IQ skill set that makes him a more complete prospect.

Boettcher recently spoke exclusively with NFL Draft On SI. Boettcher discussed being a two-sport athlete, how playing outfield in baseball helped develop his traits at linebacker, his recent Pro Day performance, and more.

NFL Draft Interview: Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher Tells Unique 2-Sport Story

JM: You recently participated at Oregon’s Pro Day, putting forth a very nice performance. You ran the 40-yard dash in the mid to high 4.5’s. It’s safe to say you were satisfied with the overall performance?

Bryce Boettcher: Yeah, I was pretty satisfied with the performance. I’m not sure what my official 40 time was. You know every scout has a different time on their stopwatches (laughs). I had trained very hard for my Pro Day. I was pleased with the performance.

JM: I’ve had a lot of fun watching you get better at linebacker over the past few years. You trigger downhill with violent intentions. As you’ve grown, what’s become your favorite aspect of playing the position?

Bryce Boettcher: My favorite aspect of playing linebacker is probably the physical nature of the position. The cerebral aspect of playing linebacker is a close second when it comes to my favorite aspect of the position.

I love watching film. I love gaining an understanding of what the offense is doing. From there, I have to take what I learned to go make plays.

JM: Your story has been well documented. You were drafted by the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball, but choose to focus on football. How do you think the skills as a baseball outfielder translate to playing linebacker? I think that’s a fascinating comparison.

Bryce Boettcher: That’s a great question. First and foremost is the balls-to-the-wall mentality you have to play both positions with. There’s no letting up. When you’re in the outfield, you have to read and react as soon as that ball is hit.

You can’t second-guess yourself. If you do, you won’t catch that ball. It’s the same thing at linebacker. Once the ball is handed off to the running back, you have to read and react. If you second guess, you’re gonna be too slow to make a play.

It takes a read-and-react mentality.

JM: Watching you on tape, you’re so aggressive with a physical mindset to creep downhill. You read and react, you’re always in attack mode. Where do you think that comes from?

Bryce Boettcher: It comes from growing up in my family (laughs). I’d say it’s in my blood. People ask me where I get my competitive nature from, my old school mentality from. I just have to credit my parents and grandparents for that one.

Bryce Boettcher - NFL Draft Oregon — Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates his win as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JM: A lot of kids make the mistake of specializing in one sport too early. They mistakenly think if they’re going to make it in one sport, they need to focus on 100% from a young age. You didn’t do that, having played baseball long enough to get drafted in the MLB. In reality, for someone like yourself, playing two sports can be very beneficial. How do you think being a two-sport athlete helped make you the athlete you are today?

Bryce Boettcher: I think the competitive nature of each sport translates from one to another. You have different kinds of teammates. You’re obviously playing totally different games. You need to improve in both of them simultaneously.

It teaches you a terrific amount of competitiveness. The best competitor is going to win in every sport. Playing multiple can make you super competitive.

Playing multiple sports also develops your body in a very unique way. That’s how you become the best athlete you can possibly be at a young age. I think if you play just one sport from a young age, I actually think it makes you more prone to getting injured. Playing multiple sports develops your entire body.

If you’re playing one sport, you’re not maximizing your refinement. Playing multiple sports was great for me personally. It taught me how to compete. It definitely helped develop my body. It gave me lifelong friends.

JM: That’s a fantastic answer. Did you meet with any teams at pro day? I believe all 32 were in attendance. Do you have any upcoming in-person visits or Zoom meetings?

Bryce Boettcher: Between the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, and Zoom calls, I’ve met with all 32 teams. It’s been a rapid and incredible process. I’ve met with just about everybody there is to meet with. I’ve got some visits coming up as well. I’ve been out to a few different places. It’s been a fun process.

JM: We’ve appreciated your time today. When a team uses one of their NFL Draft picks on Bryce Boettcher, what kind of guy are they getting?

Bryce Boettcher: You’re getting a linebacker who is selfless, relentless, and passionate about the game of football. That comes first and foremost. I care about my teammates. I want to help us win. I want to win a Super Bowl.