This isn't the first time linebacker Bryce Boettcher has been part of a big-league draft, but this time around, it's been a different experience.
"The NFL takes a deep dive, it's a lot of interviews," he said Saturday. "Obviously (baseball) has an interview process, but it's not as in-depth."
The former Oregon Duck was taken off the board at pick No. 135 by the Colts in the 2026 NFL Draft. But, he was also selected in the thirteenth round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros.
"I think I would have been a big leaguer in baseball as well," Boettcher said. "I just like the game of football a little bit better."
The Oregon native was the No. 24 recruit in his home state in football, but his first offer from Oregon was for baseball. He signed with the Ducks as an outfielder in 2020 and played 81 games.
In 2022, Boettcher heard that new head football coach Dan Lanning was holding walk-on tryouts. After his tryout, he was invited to fall camp and made the team. He took his first snaps the same year, but his production ramped up in 2024 after he made the decision to forgo professional baseball and commit to football. The decision was not an easy one.
"I love baseball, but football is definitely my passion," he said. "I grew up playing all different sports, but there's not better feeling than inflicting pain on someone legally and the bond you develop with your teammates throughout the process."
Over his last two seasons at Oregon, Boettcher totaled 230 tackles, three sacks, nine passes defended and two interceptions.
Boettcher's family had Ducks season tickets as he was growing up, and he got to watch a defensive tackle who would end up being his future teammate.
"I grew up watching DeForest Buckner play," he said. "I watched that dude play on Saturdays, and now I'll get a chance to play with him on Sundays."
The Indianapolis Colts selected Bryce Boettcher in the fourth of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Take a look at photos from his time at Oregon.
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) runs back to the bench after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) intercepts a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) celebrates with linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) throws a pass over Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) celebrates towards fans as time runs down for an Oregon win over Washington in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski (37) carries against Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium in Seattle WA, Oregon on November 29, 2025 (Eric Evans Photography)
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) intercepts a pass against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher, center, celebrates after his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
National Team linebacker Bryce Boettcher (46), of Oregon, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on September 8, 2025 (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, OR on September 20, 2025 (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania on September 27, 2025 (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the USC Trojans at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on November 23, 2025 (Eric Evans Photography)
Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) participates in a position drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) participates in the 40-yard dash at the school's NFL football Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
