I was selected in MLB Draft

NFL teams will get the chance to select a player in the 2026 NFL Draft who was once a BASEBALL pick in the 2024 Draft.

The two-way star took a chance on his football career, and his bet looks to be the correct one.

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Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates a turnover during a game in September 2024Credit: Getty

Oregon center fielder Boettcher rounds the bases during a February 2024 gameCredit: Getty

Bryce Boettcher played baseball and football at Oregon as he was a former two-sport walk-on.

Boettcher impressed in baseball to the point of being selected in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros.

However, he delayed the start of his minor league career to see his potential on the football field.

Boettcher, now 23, is expected to be a mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft as a linebacker and a core four-phase special team player.

During the Scouting Combine, Boettcher revealed his passion is much greater on the gridiron compared to the diamond.

“You can’t hit on the baseball field,” he said in February.

“I love baseball, but [football] makes me feel alive.

“And there’s a reason why I’m here.”

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During his early college baseball days, Boettcher was an elite defender but had offensive struggles.

In 2022, he walked into then-new football coach Dan Lanning’s office and asked for a tryout.

Boetcher joined the football team, which helped his baseball career.

In 2024, he was the NCAA‘s Gold Glove-winning center fielder and hit 2.276 with 12 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.

Boettcher speaks during a press conference at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in FebruaryCredit: Getty

The Astros took a shot in a draft slot with a $150,000 signing bonus and stood by Boettcher’s decision to pursue football fully.

Once Boetcher was all-in on football, he never looked back, winning the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy as the best FBS player.

The following season, he posted 136 tackles and was stellar on punt and kickoff coverage while also being an option to block kicks.

Boetcher has the skills to play in the NFL as “he’s smart, tough, instinctive and plays faster than he was time,” one league executive told the New York Post.

So it’s safe to say teams know they’ll be getting toughness and effort if they do pick Boettcher.

“I haven’t met someone who is as passionate about [football] and plays as hard as I do,” Boettcher said.

“I feel like that’s No. 1 in football. Somebody who is passionate and somebody who is physical is going to win you a lot of games, and that’s me.”

How to watch the NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft starts on Thursday April 23 – and it’s sure to be a spectacular event.

*If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue.

Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders – but will it happen?

Round 1 takes place Thursday 23 April from 8 pm ET with rounds two and three Friday at 7 pm ET.

And the action will conclude Saturday 25 April with rounds four to seven from midday ET.

You can watch all the action live on ESPN and NFL Network from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Fans can sign up and watch the huge NFL showpiece by following the links below.