Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher brings in the first postseason award for the Ducks

Bryce Boettcher is quickly becoming a household name as he continues to excel during his final season for the Oregon Ducks football team. The Eugene native and Oregon baseball star didn't have the most straightforward path to becoming a football star though.

Boettcher, who grew up just a few miles from the University of Oregon's campus, first became a Duck as an outfielder for the baseball team. He was on scholarship and has since become the starting center fielder for the Ducks – he even knocked in the game-winning home run in the first regional matchup against San Diego last season.

However, just playing Division I baseball at a power conference program wasn't quite enough for Boettcher. In 2022, as a redshirt sophomore, Boettcher walked onto the Oregon football team and earned a spot on the Ducks' special-teams unit.

Just one year later, Boettcher played in all 14 of Oregon's football games and even started in two of the Ducks' matchups. This season, he has started in all of Oregon's games, contributed a resounding 87 total tackles, and has turned himself into a star.

Because his collegiate football career began as a walk-on athlete, Boettcher earned a spot as finalist for the Burlsworthy Trophy which is awarded to the most outstanding FBS player who began his career as a walk-on. On Monday, Dec. 9, Boettcher won the award.

Bryce Boettcher 2024 stats

• 87 total tackles – 45 solo, 42 assisted
• 4 pass deflections
• 2 sacks
• 1 forced fumble
• 1 interception

Boettcher was the first Oregon player to win a postseason award this season. The highly-touted award is just one of the many that Ducks are nominated for this season – including quarterback Dillon Gabriel being named as a finalist for the Campbell Trophy and the Heisman Trophy.

Boettcher, Gabriel, and the Ducks have a few weeks of practice ahead of them before they kick off their College Football Playoffs campaign at the Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 2025.

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