Oregon’s Boettcher named Burlsworth Trophy winner

Published 12:15 pm Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Add another trophy to the shelf of the highly-decorated career of Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who was named the Burlsworth Trophy winner Monday, Dec. 9.

The trophy, named for the late Arkansas Razorbacks All-American offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth, is given to the nation’s top football player who previously started their career as a walk-on. The award was first given out in 2010 after Burlsworth’s tragic passing in 1999.

“As my grandpa would say, this is the Heisman of walk-ons,” Boettcher stated in his acceptance speech. “And probably a little more impressive for all of those walk-ons out there who know what it’s like.”

Boettcher is the first recipient of the award in Oregon football history and the first winner from the Big Ten since Michigan State’s Kenny Willekes in 2019.

After playing quarterback and safety at South Eugene High School, Boettcher pursued baseball at the collegiate level before walking onto the football team in 2022.

He made the football team as a safety in head coach Dan Lanning’s first season leading the Ducks in 2022 while continuing to play baseball for head coach Mark Wasikowski. Following the 2022 season, Boettcher transitioned to linebacker for 2023. He was a back up and reserve player in 2022 and 2023 for both teams, recording 39 tackles on the gridiron and hit .200 in 51 at-bats on the diamond.

The 2024 season was his best for either team, breaking through as a full-time starter for each.

Boettcher played centerfield for the baseball team, winning a Rawlings Gold Glove with his perfect fielding percentage and a knack for robbing home runs. The outfield range transitioned well to the football field, as Boettcher currently leads the Ducks with 84 total tackles. As a linebacker, he’s also added four pass break ups, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

Currently, Boettcher is expected to pursue baseball following the end of the football season. He was selected in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros, who agreed to continue letting Boettcher play football. Boettcher’s potential opportunities to continue to playing football after college are unclear, but could change when the college football season ends.

Indiana defensive lineman James Carpenter and University of Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac were the two other finalists for the award.

Carpenter previously walked on at James Madison before following then-Dukes coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. The sixth-year recorded 30 total tackles with four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2024. Dolac has spent his entire career with the Bulls, recording 159 tackles in 2024.

Boettcher and his No. 1 Oregon squad are set to play in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 1, facing either Ohio State or Tennessee in the College Football Playoff.