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Bryce Boettcher reaffirms football, not baseball, is main priority
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- Bryce Boettcher reaffirms football, not baseball, is main priority
The NFL Combine is the prime time when teams pick and prod at prospects. Measurements are taken, drills and agility testing take place on the field, and meetings occur with NFL coaches and team personnel. During those meetings, rarely any questions are off limits.
And for Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher , who is participating at the NFL Combine on Thursday, his baseball past — and potential future — has been a prominent question asked by NFL teams.
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"That's a big question; baseball or football?" Boettcher revealed while speaking at the combine. "'Are you a baseball guy or a football guy?'"
Boettcher played baseball with the Ducks for four seasons and was drafted in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros . According to Boettcher, the Astros organization has been understanding of him finishing out his football career at Oregon and seeing how the NFL draft unfolds.
"Still pursuing a career in baseball or is that on hold?" a reporter at the combine asked.
"That's on hold right now," Boettcher responded. "I'm pursuing fully football right now and I want to win a Super Bowl. So, you know, all football right now."
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The former Oregon linebacker registered a career-high 136 tackles during his senior season in 2025, spearheading a dominant defensive unit that ranked 12th in the nation in fewest points allowed. While there's still a long ways to go, Boettcher is widely seen as a mid-round draft pick.
Putting a lid on the football-baseball talk at the combine, Boettcher reaffirmed his commitment to football and the NFL.
"It's football," he said. "Football is my passion. I love it. I can't hit anyone on the baseball field. I love baseball, but this game makes me feel alive. There's a reason that I'm here."
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Bryce Boettcher questioned about baseball career at NFL Combine
