From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Oregon linebacker, Bryce Boettcher.

#28 BRYCE BOETTCHER/ LB, OREGON (SENIOR) – 6-2, 232 pounds
Measurements

Player
Ht/Wt
Hand Size
Arm Length
Wingspan

Bryce Boettcher
6-2/232
N/A
N/A
N/A

40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Dash
Short Shuttle
3-Cone

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Broad Jump
Vertical
Bench Press

N/A
N/A
N/A

The Good

— Athleticism; also, an outfielder on the Ducks baseball team
— Active communicator; leader on the defense
— Good burst and quickness to attack downhill
— Sideline to sideline playmaking
— Willing to take on blocker and fill gaps
— High motor constantly flowing to the ball
— Solid tackler; runs through ball on plays outside
— Good awareness, depth, mobility in zone coverage
— Good man coverage vs most TE’s/RB’s
— Times his blitzes well with good acceleration
— Plenty of special team participation

The Bad

— A little undersized
— Adequate diagnosing of plays between the tackles
— When not aggressive allows blocker to come to him and take him out of play
— Disengaging from blocks is marginal vs OL/TE
— Bites on play action/read option fakes
— Adequate play strength overall
— Stops his legs meeting runners in the hole
— Avoiding RB block when blitzing

Stats

— 55 games/30 starts, 2-year starter
— Career: 269 tackles, 121 solo, 16 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT for 31 yards, 10 PBU, 1 FR, 4 FF
— 2025: 136 tackles, 56 solo, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT for 31 yards, 6 PBU, 2 FF
— Second Team All-Big Ten 2024, 2025
— 2024 Burlsworth Trophy winner as nation’s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on
— Began career as a defensive back before switching to LB
— Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
— Outfielder playing primarily centerfield playing 186 games, starting 82
— As a senior, batted .276 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI
— 2024 Named the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team
— 2026 Senior Bowl invitee

Injury History

— Minor neck issue in 2024

Background

— Birthday: July 8, 2002 (23)
— Top-ranked shortstop and No. 10 overall player in Oregon according to Prep Baseball Report
— Three-sport letterman (baseball, basketball, Football)
— A three-star prospect according to 247Sports in football
— Rated as a top-100 dual-threat quarterback (No. 65) in the country
— Named first-team All-Midwestern League as a defensive back and honorable-mention as a quarterback as a senior in 2019
— Interview of him and his time in Eugene

Tape Breakdown

Bryce Boettcher is a linebacker with solid height, weight, arm length, and hand size. A former walk-on, he was a starter on the defense the last two seasons. Within the Oregon scheme he aligned to the strong side, weakside and inside as well as the overhang defender on some downs.

Against the run, when playing aggressively his has good acceleration to get downhill and get into gaps.

On plays outside, he is solid working through traffic and tracking the ball with good acceleration to chase down toward the sideline.

When taking on blocks he has solid hand placement and is willing to take on pulling blockers on the edge. On plays moving toward the sideline, he is good as a tackler running through his target. He has a very good motor and chases the ball sideline to sideline.

Against the pass, the was good overall. When playing in zone, he gets good depth, keeps his head on a swivel, and has good awareness of receivers in his area. On match up zone, he uses good awareness and change of direction to pick up nearby receivers.

Against screens, he has good recognition to identify and attack the play.

When playing man coverage, he knows his assignment, has good athleticism, and can handle most tight ends and running backs. He was solid staying in phase and made tackles quickly to eliminate yards after the catch.

As a blitzer, he shows good timing and acceleration and is slippery getting through gaps to apply pressure.

He is adequate when diagnosing plays directly in front of him, allowing blockers to reach him on the second level.

He will bite on the fake on play action and read option plays. When between the tackles, he often stops his legs and has adequate play strength. He is marginal getting off blocks, often getting overwhelmed by linemen and some tight ends. He will slip off of ball carriers when attempting tackles. When blitzing, he gets stuck on blocks in the backfield.

A sample of a missed tackle. Probably should have had outside leverage to force him inside.

Conclusion

Overall, Boettcher is a linebacker with solid size and good athleticism. He has experience aligning inside, to the strong side and weak side as well as the overhang defender. Against the run, he can be aggressive downhill, solid in traffic and is a solid tackler. In coverage, he displays good awareness and agility in zone coverage with the athletic ability to hand most tight end and running backs in man. Additionally, he has plenty of special teams experience.

Areas to improve include the diagnosing of run plays inside, disengaging from blocks and being a more physical tackler between the tackles. Winning against the block of running backs when blitzing and improving his angles when tackling to prevent slipping off will be helpful.

One thing is for sure is Boettcher is an athlete. Already chosen in the major league draft and now on his way to being an NFL pick is impressive. He is at his best when he is aggressive and can attack the ball. Get him in a two-gap scheme that can keep him clean and let attack and chase. I think his best position would be a WILL (weak side) linebacker in an even front where he can run and chase. Adding some play strength and improving the diagnosing of plays could put him as the MACK linebacker inside in an odd front. He could be used on sub packages on third down as well as being a core special teams player.

For a player comp, I’ll give you Owen Pappoe. A similarly built player with athleticism and motor who was best suited to move to the WILL due to size and diagnosis issues.

NFL Projection: Mid-Day Three
Steelers Depot Grade:  7.1 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range:  5.9–7.3
Games Watched: 2025 – At Northwestern, Vs Indiana, Vs Penn State, At Washington, Vs Indiana (CFB Semifinal)