2025 Oregon Ducks

Leonardfan

Leonardfan

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Since 2007, Oregon has started 6, 9, 10, 10, 9, 9, 5, 8, 8, 6, 7, 7, 9, 4, 4, 7, 4 and 3 white starters. The Ducks look to remain at 3 in 2025.


This team does not have much to root for outside of two outliers that are among the best at their positions and projected as 2nd/3rd round picks - LB Bryce Boettcher and S Dillon Thieneman. Outside of these two this roster leans heavily into blacks and polys.

The underused and wasted talent of WR Kyler Kasper seems projected to continue. Maybe he will get a shot this season.

The QB battle remains up in the air with QB Austin Novosad responding to the competition against the 2 years ago hyped up black QB Dante Moore. For those that remember Moore committed to UCLA and had all sorts of "buzz" around him. He ended up not playing great so he was replaced and then left for Oregon. Novosad has been with the program for three years so there is a chance he might win out the job or take over at some point.

Offense
QB* position battle
RT Alex Harkey

Defense
LB Bryce Boettcher
S Dillon Thieneman
 
Since he doesn't have a magical smile or play for Coach "Prime" Bryce Boettcher won't get the recognition or hype of Travis Hunter but when reading his bio one can only be impressed with his athletic prowess. I gave him the ChatGPT treatment and got some of the typical caste speak. Perhaps he can be this year's Carson schwesinger

Overview: Bryce Boettcher's Football & Baseball Journey​


Background & College Football Career​


  • Bryce Boettcher, born in Eugene, Oregon (July 8, 2002), attended South Eugene High School and was rated a three-star recruit. Although initially committed to play football as a walk-on, he focused on baseball upon arriving at Oregon in 2020 Wikipedia.
  • In 2022, he walked on to the Oregon football team, initially at safety and mostly on special teams burlsworthtrophy.comWikipedia.
  • In 2023, he transitioned to inside linebacker, becoming a starter—recording around 37 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a sack burlsworthtrophy.comWikipedia.

Breakout 2024 Season​



Awards & Accolades​



Scouting Profile & NFL Prospects​


  • A scouting report from an NFL draft preview described:
    • Strengths: High football IQ, instincts, gap-filling, run defense, tackling fundamentals, leadership, durability, versatility (baseball background enhances hand-eye coordination) NFL Draft Buzz.
    • Weaknesses: Lacks elite speed, relatively inexperienced at linebacker position, limited pass rush/big-play upside, size (225 lb) may limit short-yardage packages NFL Draft Buzz.
    • Overall, he’s viewed as a technically sound, dependable defender—likely a rotational NFL player or special‑teams contributor rather than a premier, high‑ceiling pick NFL Draft Buzz.

Public & Fan Reaction​


  • He’s widely celebrated by Oregon fans for his perseverance and performance. Reddit users applaud his journey:
    “Bryce is one of my favorite players in recent memory…not only a local and a walk‑on, but legitimately one of the best linebackers we’ve had in a while.” Reddit
    Click to expand...


Is Bryce Boettcher Considered a High NFL Draft Pick?​


Short answer: Not likely to be a high NFL draft pick at this stage.


Why?


  • His path as a walk-on and limited football tenure puts him behind long-tenured, heavily scouted peers.
  • Scouts praise his instincts, technique, and leadership—but note athletic limitations and a small sample size at linebacker NFL Draft Buzz.
  • His lofty tackle counts and accolades come in college play, but he doesn’t have the elite measurables typically sought in early-round NFL selections.
  • Returning for another college season suggests he wants to further develop before making the leap—implying he may aim to improve draft stock before entering the pros Houston ChronicleThe Bulletin.


Quick Summary Table​


AspectDetails
School & PositionOregon Ducks — Inside Linebacker
Football Start & GrowthWalk-on in 2022 → Starter by 2023 → Team Leader in 2024
Key Achievement2024 Burlsworth Trophy (top walk-on in FBS)
Baseball AccomplishmentDrafted by Astros, Gold Glove, strong senior stats
NFL OutlookStrong technician, team leader, likely mid-to-late round or undrafted—but special‑teams value high
Future PlansReturning for 2025 season to improve further before turning pro


In summary, Bryce Boettcher’s story is one of determination, versatility, and leadership—a rare two-sport success, rising from walk-on to top-notch linebacker and award-winner at a powerhouse program. While he's unlikely to be a top-10 or early-round NFL draft pick, his intangibles, fundamentals, and dual-sport background make him a compelling candidate for mid-to-late rounds or as an undrafted free agent with pro potential, particularly on special teams or situational defensive packages.
 
Leonardfan said:
The underused and wasted talent of WR Kyler Kasper seems projected to continue. Maybe he will get a shot this season.
Click to expand...
Underused and wasted despite being the son of Kevin Kasper. Just as Iowa has produced NFL caliber White CBs in recent years, a generation ago first Tim Dwight and then Kevin Kasper were speed burners at WR who went on to the NFL. Dwight was underused but played a lot more than Kasper, who was in the league eight years and was with eight different teams for a career total of just 24 receptions. He also returned some punts and kickoffs. At 6' 1" he was significantly taller than Dwight and not quite as fast as Dwight had world class speed, but he was still very fast. Should have been a starter in the NFL but we know the story that has been repeated literally hundreds of times for White receivers over the past 40 years.

The highlights video below (which has a horrible music soundtrack) mentions what a superb athlete Kevin Kasper was, with a 44 inch vertical to go with his speed. Given the very slight progress made in the last 20 years by White receivers, maybe Kyler will fare better, but if he still isn't starting as a redshirt junior it doesn't look good.


​

As I like to do to illustrate how the NFL screws so many White players year after year, here's Kasper's transaction history per Pro Football Reference. His last NFL catch was in 2003 but he tried for five more years after that to get an opportunity, in vain:

 
Great posts fellas. What a caste whore breakdown from Chatlqbqt describing Boetcher. Amazing how they conveniently explain away White accomplishments.

Kevin Kasper jerked around and toyed with as well despite elite measurables, his son should know the game. Would have loved to see him transfer out and be a star somewhere smaller.
 
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