The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to showcase themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher plans on taking full advantage. Boettcher recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Boettcher also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, getting drafted by the Houston Astros, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Boettcher better ahead of his journey to the Panini Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite, and what was your initial reaction?
Bryce Boettcher: I want to say I was at our facility. Dan Lanning walked into our meeting room. We were watching some film, I think it was on the Texas Tech game. Coach Lanning just walked into the meeting room, gave me a thumbs up and told me I had been invited to the Senior Bowl.
I was pretty focused on the task at hand, getting ready for Texas Tech, but I was so excited. I was stoked to know I got the invite.
JM: That sounds like a cool story. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Bryce Boettcher: I’m always down to play more football. That comes first and foremost. I love the game. It’s an opportunity, a great opportunity, to play with the best of the best in this NFL Draft. That was the driving factor behind why I accepted the offer.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Bryce Boettcher: I want to prove that I’m a physical football player. I’m also very cerebral with a high football IQ. I think my instincts are off the charts. I’ve shown that pretty much every week. Those are the two main things I want to show everyone at the Senior Bowl.
I’m a great athlete, a dynamic athlete even, but the true mixture of a good football player is intelligence and instincts.
JM: There’s no doubt about that. I’m going to expand on that. How would you write your own scouting report? Self-scout yourself for us. What are your traits and abilities as an off-ball linebacker?
Bryce Boettcher: I’m instinctual and intelligent. That’s always at the forefront of my game. I’m incredibly physical at the point of attack. I’m a leader in the locker room. Those are a few of the bullet points that describe me as a football player.
JM: Is Bryce Boettcher a downhill thumper or more athletic in space?
Bryce Boettcher: I’d say I’m a pretty good mixture of both.
JM: You’ve obviously played baseball your entire life. You were recently drafted by the Houston Astros. That’s pretty damn cool. Congratulations on that! How did playing one sport help prepare you for the other? Are the skill sets interchangeable at all in your eyes?
Bryce Boettcher: I appreciate the kind words. I think all sports are pretty interchangeable. Specifically for me, playing center field in baseball, when the ball comes off the bat, you have to make a quick read and go for it. You have to trust your instincts.
It’s the same thing when playing linebacker in football. You can’t second-guess yourself. You have to make a read and hit that gap with no hesitation at all. You have to be explosive in both. You have to trust your instincts and intelligence. They definitely go hand in hand.
JM: That’s a fantastic answer. Is the plan to fully focus on football moving forward?
Bryce Boettcher: I’m fully focused on football going into the NFL pre-draft process. I’m 100% football. It comes more naturally to me. I love the game. I’m fully focused on football right now.
ESPN pointed out Oregon star LB Bryce Boettcher was drafted by the Astros. According to the AP Boettcher, taken in the 13th round in 2024, signed with Houston (as an OF) & with the Astros permission, chose to play for Oregon for 1 more season.The Astros retain his rights for 2026
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) January 10, 2026
JM: What’s on Bryce Boettcher’s pre-game playlist?
Bryce Boettcher: There’s a good mixture of things. I have some Rock & Roll on there, music my dad used to listen to. We had this old stereo I remember from when I was a kid. There’s some 80s Rock on there that’s a little outdated (laughs). It used to get me fired up to play basketball on the driveway as a kid.
Obviously, I have some newer age rap on there, the stuff my teammates listen to in the locker room. There’s a good mixture of stuff on the playlist.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL linebacker, who would you choose and why? Is there anyone in particular you try to study and learn from?
Bryce Boettcher: I was a massive Luke Kuechly fan when he was playing. Obviously, he’s been out of the game for a little bit now. Fred Warner is another guy. I love his ability to punch the ball loose. He plays sideline to sideline and downhill as well. He’s definitely someone I watch a lot. Those two linebackers come to mind.
JM: Those are some great choices. With Dante Moore and so many of your teammates going back, how excited are you to follow the Oregon Ducks in 2026? It says a lot about the program that so many guys are going back.
Bryce Boettcher: I’m super pumped. I’m from Oregon, so I’ll always be a lifelong supporter. I came back to play my last year of football with the Ducks. I truly love this place and love this program. I’m excited to watch them next year. The Ducks will have some great things in store.
JM: We’ve appreciated your time today. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Bryce Boettcher?
Bryce Boettcher: I’m going to give a massive effort every single day. That’s what a successful Senior Bowl means. I’m going to show up prepared so that I enjoy my time out there. With enjoyment comes winning the actual game.
I want to win the game. If I can knock someone’s helmet off in the process, that’s a win.