Last season the Oregon inside linebackers combined for 2.5 sacks. In 2024 they posted 6.5, two by Bryce Boettcher, 1.5 each by Jeffrey Bassa, Jestin Jacobs and Devon Jackson.
At the 2025 CIF Southern Section Division 6 Football Championship Game versus St. Pius X-St. Matthias, new Duck linebacker Tristan Phillips slammed down the Pius QB for 6.5 in one game. His team won 63-28, their first section title in 25 years.
At the Signing Day event new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton compared Phillips to Boettcher. He called the 6-3, 215 four-star linebacker prospect "Bryce Boettcher 2.0."
"He's been a Duck through and through from Ventura, California," Hampton said. "He's a great kid, he's about 220 pounds right now and he's gonna be a 230, 235-pound linebacker that will knock you backwards."
Hampton has already committed to playing a more aggressive, disruptive brand of defense this season. creating more heat and disruption from the linebacker group, an "all gas and no brakes" mentality.
At spring practice, Phillips will be in a competition for a vacant spot at LB
The competition to start alongside Jerry Mixon will be the key to that. Take a look at the final eight teams in the College Football Playoff last season. The other seven were characterized by elite play at linebacker, guys who could knock you backwards.
The Ducks' inability to match that assertiveness in the middle was the glaring weakness of their defense. It remains a concern.
Someone, Brayden Platt, Dylan Williams, Devon Jackson, Kamar Mothudi, Gavin Nix, Phillips, or 6-3, 212 four-star freshman Braylon Hodge, has to step up to fill that role: more importantly, to fill the B Gap.
Jackson is a veteran with impressive speed, but he keeps getting hurt and he misses too many tackles.
A team can't play "all gas and no brakes" defense without studs in the middle. As a high school prospect Phillips showed alpha linebacker potential.
With quarterback hits.
Huge hit on Barlow from Tristan Phillips as he throws. Incomplete pass, and Camarillo will punt. pic.twitter.com/JOVlIi2HXm
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) September 13, 2025
With a physical style running the football.
Tristan Phillips gets in on the action with this 12-yard TD, plowing through two Buena defenders on the way into the end zone.
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) October 4, 2025
Ventura leads 34-0 with 5:23 to play in the first half. pic.twitter.com/KZzFIcufBL
With range and instincts in pass defense.
Tristan Phillips with the game-clinching interception. Leading 28-14 with 2:48 to play, Ventura looks headed back to the sectional finals for the first time since 2014! https://t.co/1WzgYasKs0 pic.twitter.com/gmxub6iXvn
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) November 22, 2025
Oddly, Phillips wasn't that highly rated coming out of high school. The 247Sports Composite placed him as the No. 436 recruit and No. 34 linebacker, a considerable notch below Platt, Williams and Mothudi as a prospect. What's impressive is what he puts on film. He makes plays.
Both his father and grandfather were high school coaches. Phillips told Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times, “Whether blocking or hitting on defense, I want to make sure I’m putting you in the ground and you’re feeling it.”
That mentality is exactly what the Ducks need. In order to realize their championship dreams, somebody has to provide production and a physical identity in the middle.