The Burlsworth Trophy has gone to Bryce Boettcher of Oregon, an inside linebacker.
At a ceremony held at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, Boettcher received the award, which is given every year to the country’s most exceptional football player who started his career as a walk-on. He won the award ahead of fellow candidates James Carpenter of Indiana and Shaun Dolac of Buffalo.
Boettcher accepted the prize and remarked, “This is the Heisman of walk-ons,” as my grandfather used to say. For all the walk-ons who are familiar with it, it’s likely a bit more impressive.
Boettcher, a walk-on safety who joined the football team in 2022, is the first player in Oregon history to be named a Burlsworth Trophy finalist. A career-high 87 tackles (eight for loss), two sacks, four pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble led the No. 1 Ducks this season after he converted to linebacker in 2023.
As the starting center fielder for Oregon baseball, the senior excelled. He helped lead the Ducks to an NCAA Super Regional last season by hitting.276 with a career-high 14 home runs and 48 RBIs, earning him a Gold Glove award. In this year’s MLB draft, the Houston Astros selected Boettcher in the thirteenth round.
No. 1 Oregon (13-0) vs. No. 8 Ohio State (10-2)/No. 9 Tennessee (10-2) in the CFP quarterfinal
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When:
Wednesday, Jan. 1
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Time:
2 p.m. PT
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Where:
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
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TV channel:
ESPN
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