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Oregon Seeking Waiver Granting Bryce Boettcher Fourth Football Season

Max Torres Author Profileby:Max Torres•12/31/24•

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© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher was selected by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. Also a gold glover on the baseball diamond, the dual-sport star chose to put the MLB on hold to play the 2024 football season with the Ducks. That alone was a massive win for Dan Lanning‘s program.

But now there’s a chance the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Eugene native could put his pads on for one more season with the Ducks.

Oregon is seeking a waiver that would grant the senior linebacker a fourth football season in the 2025-2026 academic year. Boettcher, who won the Burlsworth Trophy this season, joined the football team as a walk-on for the 2022 season. The conclusion of the 2024 season would mark just the third full season for Boettcher as a football player.

Lanning was asked for additional clarity about the waiver on Tuesday ahead of the Rose Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

“I won’t really get into the details of it,” the head coach said. “Like I said, we’re a day out from this game. I don’t think that’s where Bryce wants the focus; certainly not us either. But if there was an opportunity to have Bryce back that would be great for him. He certainly deserves it. He hasn’t played four seasons of football here. I think he deserves that opportunity if it comes his way.”

2024 has been Boettcher’s best season as a Duck

Boettcher is leading the Ducks in tackles this season with 87. He’s also logged a pair of sacks, eight tackles for loss and four pass breakups.

A return to the football field next season would be significant for an Oregon defense that’s set to lose seniors Jeffrey Bassa and Jestin Jacobs to the 2025 NFL Draft. Sophomore Devon Jackson will return to Brian Michalowski’s linebacker room, but aside from Jackson the room lacks ample proven production for the Ducks to lean on.

Rising young talents like Jerry Mixon, Brayden Platt, Kamar Mothudi and Dylan Williams fill out the rest of the room. Oregon has signed one linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class in four-star Gavin Nix from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy.

The Ducks could also make the decision to pursue a linebacker in the transfer portal for additional depth, but they haven’t been linked to many to date given their focus on the college football playoff.

Only time will tell if Boettcher is in fact granted a fourth season on the football field. But if he is he’ll provide a major boost to the Oregon defense in 2025. The Ducks could also return another pair of defensive veterans in safety Kobe Savage and defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell after the recent NCAA waiver granting former junior college players four total years of eligibility at the Division 1 level.

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