The Indianapolis Colts added some serious grit to their linebacker room with the 135th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Oregon's Bryce Boettcher. And if you think you've heard that name before, you're right—this isn't just any linebacker prospect.
Boettcher is a two-sport standout who actually had a chance to start his baseball career after being drafted by the Houston Astros. Instead, he chose football, walking on at Oregon and earning every snap. That chip-on-the-shoulder mentality is exactly what the Colts are banking on.
Over the last two seasons, Boettcher logged more than 1,200 snaps, including nearly 800 in 2025 alone. He's been a reliable tackler throughout, grading out well by Pro Football Focus metrics. But what really stands out is his coverage ability—he allowed just 6.0 yards per catch last season while forcing an interception and breaking up three passes. For a linebacker in today's pass-happy NFL, that's the kind of discipline that keeps you on the field.
His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 7.15 out of 10.00 ranks 994th out of 3,480 linebackers since 1987—solid, if not eye-popping. But as NFL.com's Lance Zierlein notes, "His size, speed and athleticism are average, but his competitive will and motor cover some of that up." Zierlein projects Boettcher as an NFL backup, but adds that his special-teams talent "could be his ticket to a higher draft slotting."
Colts GM Chris Ballard didn't hold back his excitement: "We took Bryce from Oregon... athletic, fast. A blue card guy for us, a really special dude. Here's a guy he was drafted by the Astros, ended up walking on, earning it, and has been just a tremendous player for University of Oregon."
Colts scout Kasia Omilian echoed that sentiment, tying Boettcher directly to the team's offseason mission: "Chris has talked about wanting to make the locker room edge year, wanting to improve toughness, wanting to improve competitiveness. He does that. He fits all three categories with the way he prepares, but also the way he plays the game."
Bottom line? Boettcher may not be the flashiest pick on paper, but his relentless motor, special-teams value, and walk-on mentality make him exactly the kind of player who could outperform his draft slot. For a Colts team looking to add toughness and depth, he's a perfect fit.