Bryce Boettcher, Oregon's baseball-football star and former two-sport walk-on, is set to compete in the 2026 NFL Draft as a linebacker and core four-phase special-teamer in the upcoming season as a special player. He was selected by the Astros in the 13th round of MLB's 2024 draft by the team but delayed his minor league career to focus on his performance on the gridiron. Despite his struggles in baseball, Boetcher became a standout football player and won the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy as the best FBS player. His focus on football is seen as a model for a dying breed in a one-sporting specialization in youth.