Most college players are lucky to be drafted once. Then thereโs Bryce Boettcher, who heard his name called twice -- in different sports.
Two years after the Astros selected him as an outfielder in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Boettcher learned his football fate on Saturday. The Indianapolis Colts nabbed Boettcher, a linebacker, with their fourth-round pick in this yearโs NFL Draft.
A two-sport athlete at the University of Oregon, Boettcher ran out of baseball eligibility following the 2024 season, when he slashed .276/.372/.500 with 12 home runs in 56 games while also earning a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive team. At that time, Boettcher had one year of football eligibility remaining. In a unique arrangement with the Astros, Boettcher stayed at school to play his final season on the gridiron.
Boettcher led the Ducks with 136 tackles last season and helped Oregon capture a berth in the College Football Playoff.
At the NFL Combine, Boettcher told reporters that he is currently focused on a professional football career. โI want to win a Super Bowl, so, you know, all football right now,โ Boettcher said. โ... You canโt hit anyone on a baseball field. I love baseball, but [football] makes me feel alive.โ
Boettcher originally committed to Oregon on a baseball scholarship, beginning his college career in 2021. A year later, the three-star quarterback prospect in high school decided to walk on to the football team to play for new head coach Dan Lanning. That kickstarted a three-year stretch, during which the 6-foot-2, 232-pound Boettcher doubled as a starting linebacker for the football team and a starting outfielder for the baseball team.