Bryce Boettcher: The Heart of a Duck

Bryce Boettcher is a standout on two of Oregon's teams – football and baseball – both of which are top 10 programs nationally. Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Boettcher embodies what it means to be a Duck. From his humble beginnings as a walk-on to becoming the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy winner, his journey is a testament to perseverance and heart. Whether dominating on the football field or the baseball diamond, Bryce has left an indelible mark on Oregon Athletics.  

In this exclusive interview, the senior linebacker opens up about his walk-on mentality, his love for his hometown, being a two-sport athlete, and what the future holds as he prepares to take off the Oregon jersey for the last time. 

 

Host (Andrew McDevitt): Welcome to Oregon senior linebacker and 2024 Burlsworth Trophy winner Bryce Boettcher. Bryce, that's kind of where I want to start. Burlsworth Trophy given to the best player that started their career as a walk-on. What does it take to have a walk-on mentality and what did that award mean to you? 

Bryce Boettcher: Yeah, that award meant everything, man. There's a lot more days in my college football career that looked like they weren't going to pan out. I wasn't going to get the opportunity I wanted, but I kind of just stacked the days and kept the faith. And, obviously it worked out last year, had a solid season and the team had a good season. It's a mindset that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. Once a walk-on, always a walk-on. And it's just a greedy mindset. 

 

You were born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. Was there ever a chance you were going to go anywhere else? 

No, man. I mean, I had an offer from the University of Utah in baseball. That was really my only scholarship offer for any sport. But then obviously Oregon offered me a walk-on spot for baseball originally. And as soon as that was the case, I was coming here. 

 

I heard both Coach Lanning and Coach Wasikowski say that you wearing an Oregon jersey just means more. Why is that? 

Just being from here, you know, all my family and friends are from the Oregon, Pacific Northwest area. When you grow up watching the games and really know what it means to be a Duck fan and bleed green and yellow, when you put the jersey on, it means more because you've been a part of it for longer. 

 

Which was your first love? Did you love baseball first or football? 

Oh man, I'd say probably baseball. That's what I started playing first. But I started playing football too when I was in second, third grade. So both fairly early, but I'd say baseball. 

You were drafted in 2024 by the Houston Astros. Did that make the decision to return for football challenging, or was that kind of something that you knew you had there, and it was worth pursuing the football situation regardless? 

Yeah, it was certainly challenging. You know, that's a pretty cool opportunity to get drafted and have that option. But knowing that I had one more year of football eligibility and being a Duck fan, I feel like I'd regret it down the road if I didn't give it one more year. And obviously the Astros wanted to be there, but they understood. And that door's open down the road if I want to pursue baseball. 

 

I heard Coach Lanning say that you have a little bit of crazy in you. I think that he has a little bit of crazy in him. What's the relationship like between the pair of you? 

Yeah, it's a good relationship, man. It's definitely evolved over the years. I respect the guy, the way he works, the way he coaches. Yeah, I'd say it's a fair analysis. We both are a little crazy in our own regard. Before the games, walking out of the tunnel, he'll kind of look at me and I'll look at him. We'll make eye contact for a split second and kind of just smile because we both know we're on the same wavelength. 

 

That craziness has resulted in a pretty quality start. Do you enjoy going on the road to difficult environments? 

I love it personally. When we went to Penn State, that was super cool. It's a new opportunity, a new place you get to play. Having come from the Pac-12, pulling out these new places in the Big Ten is pretty neat, so I enjoy it. 

 

Do you have a favorite away stadium that you've played in thus far? 

I mean, I'd say Penn State has to be up there. 

 

You've played in massive moments both on the baseball diamond and on the football field. Regional wins, Big Ten Championship wins. Is there a win that is better than another win, or are all wins the same? 

I mean, I'd be lying to you if I said all wins are the same. Obviously, there's some that feel a little better than others. I'd say the Big Ten Championship win from last year was up there. The Pac-12 Tournament win in baseball, that was pretty special against Arizona. And obviously some other sprinkled in there. Baseball against the Beavers. My senior year, we ended up beating them in my last game ever on a Tuesday. And this last Oregon State game at home was pretty special as well. 

 

At some point in the next three months, you are going to take off that Oregon jersey for the last time. What do you want the Ducks fans to remember the most about Bryce Boettcher? 

Man, good question. Someone who just gave it his all for the green and yellow and the university. That's why I came back. I love this place. I love what the University of Oregon stands for, and its athletic program. Just a guy who gave it 100%, left nothing else on the table, who was there for his teammates, and played hard. 

 

I love the video from last year where you go from the football spring game straight over to the baseball field. What's that experience like? And you know, there are very few guys that have the talent to do that at the level you're doing it. 

Yeah, that was a pretty cool opportunity. It was cool that they asked me to throw out the first pitch this year. And then obviously, a couple of years ago, I ended up playing in both, which was obviously really cool as well.  

You know, I'm just blessed to be able to do both and have both coaches support me through both sports and communicate well enough to where I was able to do both of them. So, yeah, I'm just blessed. 

 

What do we got to do to get the neck brace back? 

It's funny. I was actually talking to my mom about that yesterday. She was like, “I was in the stands, and the fans want you to bring back the neck brace.” You know, I was having neck issues last year and the year before. So that's why I was wearing it. This year I kind of readjusted how I hit it and move around. So I wasn't having as many neck issues. And you know, the neck brace, it looks good, but it kind of leaves me a little stiff. It's hard for me to maneuver with that thing on. So I figured the functionality of play and finesse was a little more important than looks. 

 

Fair, fair. In a couple of months, you're going to be in a great spot. You're going to have options. What do you hope the future looks like for you? 

Man, I mean, what do I hope it looks like for me? Hopefully I get a shot to go play in the NFL and once that road comes here, maybe go do that, or I go play some baseball, depending on what my opportunities look like. But right now, I'm really just focused on the now and enjoying my last couple of months as a Duck. 

 

Favorite athlete growing up? 

Derek Jeter. 

 

Is there a Dan Lanning saying that you particularly stick to? 

I mean, he's got a lot of good ones. But I like “The grass is damn green in Eugene.” 

 

Fitting for you. Last one would be, what's your favorite part about being a Duck? 

Probably running out in Autzen Stadium, seeing the fans and the green and yellow. 

 

Bryce, great meeting you, man. Best of luck the rest of the way. 

Sweet. Appreciate you, Andrew. 

 

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Catch Boettcher and the Ducks in their first College Football Playoff game against James Madison on Saturday, December 20^th at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, or Max.