Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher selected with No. 135 pick in 2026 NFL Draft

There might be no more perfect match than Dan Lanning and Bryce Boettcher. Both have a deep passion for defense, violent tackling and are natural leaders. Both also have a little bit of crazy to them, as well. That's why it made perfect sense when Lanning took the job to lead the Oregon Ducks, and Boettcher earned a spot as a walk-on.

A star on the gridiron and the diamond, Boettcher's name was one to know in Eugene, having grown up in the shadows of Autzen Stadium and attended South Eugene High School. He won a Gold Glove in center field for the Ducks' baseball team and was later selected by the Houston Astros in the 2024 MLB Draft. In Lanning's first game with the Ducks, a 49-3 blowout loss to Georgia, Boettcher made his debut on special teams.

Boettcher's role only grew at Oregon, and now he has been selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 135 pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He's the fifth Duck to be drafted this weekend, joining Kenyon Sadiq, Dillon Thieneman, Emmanuel Pregnon and Jadon Canady.

From special teams to the green dot on Oregon's defense, the Eugene product quickly grew into his role as the vocal leader of the Ducks' stopping unit. He led the program in tackles each of the past two seasons and ranked sixth nationally in 2025 with 136 total tackles, the most by a Duck since Chris Cosgrove in 1979 and the eighth-most in a single season in program history. Boettcher added 5.5 tackles for loss, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one interception and even a rushing touchdown on senior day.

Boettcher was a two-time second-team All-Big Ten performer and, in 2024, became the first Duck to ever win the Burlsworth Trophy, annually presented to the nation's best college football player who began his career as a walk-on. After four incredible seasons with the team he grew up rooting for and dreaming of playing for, Boettcher will finally leave Eugene and report to camp with the Colts.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher selected with No. 135 pick in 2026 NFL Draft