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.<\/p>\n
#28 BRYCE BOETTCHER\/ LB, OREGON (SENIOR) \u2013 6-2, 232 pounds
\nMeasurements<\/p>\n
Player
\nHt\/Wt
\nHand Size
\nArm Length
\nWingspan<\/p>\n
Bryce Boettcher
\n6-2\/232
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
40-Yard Dash
\n10-Yard Dash
\nShort Shuttle
\n3-Cone<\/p>\n
N\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
Broad Jump
\nVertical
\nBench Press<\/p>\n
N\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
The Good<\/p>\n
\u2014 Athleticism; also, an outfielder on the Ducks baseball team
\u2014 Active communicator; leader on the defense
\u2014 Good burst and quickness to attack downhill
\u2014 Sideline to sideline playmaking
\u2014 Willing to take on blocker and fill gaps
\u2014 High motor constantly flowing to the ball
\u2014 Solid tackler; runs through ball on plays outside
\u2014 Good awareness, depth, mobility in zone coverage
\u2014 Good man coverage vs most TE\u2019s\/RB\u2019s
\u2014 Times his blitzes well with good acceleration
\u2014 Plenty of special team participation<\/p>\n
The Bad<\/p>\n
\u2014 A little undersized
\u2014 Adequate diagnosing of plays between the tackles
\u2014 When not aggressive allows blocker to come to him and take him out of play
\u2014 Disengaging from blocks is marginal vs OL\/TE
\u2014 Bites on play action\/read option fakes
\u2014 Adequate play strength overall
\u2014 Stops his legs meeting runners in the hole
\u2014 Avoiding RB block when blitzing<\/p>\n
Stats<\/p>\n
\u2014 55 games\/30 starts, 2-year starter
\u2014 Career: 269 tackles, 121 solo, 16 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT for 31 yards, 10 PBU, 1 FR, 4 FF
\u2014 2025: 136 tackles, 56 solo, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT for 31 yards, 6 PBU, 2 FF
\u2014 Second Team All-Big Ten 2024, 2025
\u2014 2024 Burlsworth Trophy winner as nation\u2019s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on
\u2014 Began career as a defensive back before switching to LB
\u2014 Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
\u2014 Outfielder playing primarily centerfield playing 186 games, starting 82
\u2014 As a senior, batted .276 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI
\u2014 2024 Named the ABCA\/Rawlings Gold Glove Team
\u2014 2026 Senior Bowl invitee<\/p>\n
Injury History<\/p>\n
\u2014 Minor neck issue in 2024<\/p>\n
Background<\/p>\n
\u2014 Birthday: July 8, 2002 (23) Tape Breakdown<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Against the run, when playing aggressively his has good acceleration to get downhill and get into gaps.<\/p>\n On plays outside, he is solid working through traffic and tracking the ball with good acceleration to chase down toward the sideline.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Against screens, he has good recognition to identify and attack the play.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n As a blitzer, he shows good timing and acceleration and is slippery getting through gaps to apply pressure.<\/p>\n He is adequate when diagnosing plays directly in front of him, allowing blockers to reach him on the second level.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n A sample of a missed tackle. Probably should have had outside leverage to force him inside.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For a player comp, I\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Top-ranked shortstop and No. 10 overall player in Oregon according to Prep Baseball Report
\u2014 Three-sport letterman (baseball, basketball, Football)
\u2014 A three-star prospect according to 247Sports in football
\u2014 Rated as a top-100 dual-threat quarterback (No. 65) in the country
\u2014 Named first-team All-Midwestern League as a defensive back and honorable-mention as a quarterback as a senior in 2019
\u2014 Interview of him and his time in Eugene<\/a><\/p>\n