Bryce Boettcher

The Player

Boettcher is a highly competitive green dot linebacker with great instincts, good burst, and an outstanding motor, though he has only adequate size. He makes quick reads, rarely takes false steps, and meets opposing running backs in the hole. He’s disciplined, rarely getting caught out of his gap, and he’s quick enough to shoot gaps. He can adjust his path to the running back once he gets into the backfield. He shoots his hands and flashes some explosive take-on power when he plays downhill. He’s relentless in pursuit and has a good short-area closing burst. He led the Big Ten with 136 total tackles in 2025.

He’s on the lighter side, and his length is only decent—offensive linemen can engulf him when they’re able to square up and latch on. He reportedly ran well at Oregon’s pro day. He didn’t run at the combine and shows good, but not elite, range on tape. He slips off too many tackles and can take poor angles. He gets to depth and lets the quarterback’s eyes take him to the ball when he drops to hook/curl. He extends his arm, steps in front of receivers, and closes well when driving on passes thrown in front of him. He intercepted a pass and had six passes defended in 2025. Tight ends and backs can get behind him. He has a tendency to overreact to play-action and can be too quick to abandon coverage when the quarterback gets outside the pocket.  

He can slip offensive linemen and running backs when he blitzes and flashes the ability to run over running backs. Quarterbacks have some success shaking and evading him. He’s a natural leader and communicator who gets the defense lined up. He covered punts and kickoffs in college. He was the first Oregon player to win the Burlsworth Trophy, presented to the nation’s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. He’s added 40 pounds since high school. He played baseball for four seasons at Oregon, and the Astros drafted him in the 13th round in 2024.

The Draft

Boettcher is a mid-round prospect and one of 11 off-ball linebackers who could get drafted in the top 150 this year. At least one Oregon linebacker has been taken in each of the past three drafts. 

The Projection

Boettcher is a good candidate to start his career as a depth linebacker and special teams contributor. Robert Spillane is an interesting comp. Boettcher is faster and has a much higher grade than Spillane did coming out of Western Michigan in 2018, but they are instinctive and tough with similar frames. Spillane has started 51 games over the past three seasons.