LAS VEGAS — For the first time in his Oregon football career, Bryce Boettcher has been able to carry a singular focus through an entire offseason. Baseball has taken a back seat in 2025, as he prepares for his final collegiate season on the gridiron. 

Playing both sports puts a toll on the body. Boettcher’s had weight fluctuated on a nearly monthly basis in past years, as he the two sport’s called for different body types. That led to cut months and bulk months. Without the need to slim down to man Oregon’s center field, he’s been up to add double-digit pounds since Oregon’s final game in 2024. 

“I’ve put on 10-12 pounds,” he told DuckTerritory.com at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas this past week. “In this summer block I’ve really conditioned and got my body ready for camp. So I’m excited to get going.”

Listed at 225 pounds last year, the reigning Burlsworth Trophy winner will play above 230 this time around. That should allow him to be an even more formidable defender. He led the Ducks with 94 tackles last year and was a second-team All-Big Ten choice.

A break from baseball has also paved the way for more offseason film study, including a more in-depth self-scout. Two focal points stood out from that: a need for better pad level and the desire to improve his pass rush.

“When I play linebacker I just play free. I let the game just flow through me. Sometimes when I do that, I get out of my base and playing linebacker, you’ve got to have good pad level,” he explained. “You’ve got to get under linemen or under running backs. Sometimes I like to stand straight up. I’ve got to stay in my base. I’ve definitely worked on my legs and staying under the chute. That’s one part I need to take to my game. 

“Pass rush, I’m really good at timing up blitzing and just going full speed. That served me well last year, I had a good number of TFLs, but when it comes to 1-on-1 pass rush with a tackle or a guard, when they see me coming, I’ve got to be able to rush them.”

Boettcher was fourth on the 2024 roster with 8.0 tackles for loss. He brought down two quarterbacks as well.

While playing lower and adding to his pass rush bag have been the primary focus, he did make his way to the batting cages a fair amount this summer too. Those days are behind him though. 

“I love baseball, but right now, it’s like a hobby. It’s still something that I want to keep doing, and down the road, I want to turn into a career eventually,” he said. “But, I won’t be hitting during camp, I’ll tell you that much.”

And if the opportunity to pursue a professional football career presents itself following 2025, the Houston Astros draft choice will give that a serious look too.

“It’d be something I’d definitely have to consider,” he said. “I love football as well.”

Oregon is set to begin fall camp next week. The school will hold its own media day event on Monday morning. The season kicks off on Aug. 30 with FCS-power Montana State coming to town.