Bryce Bettcher Joins Colts After Unique Journey
Bryce Bettcher is heading to the Colts, but his career could have taken a very different direction. The linebacker from Oregon was picked in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, joining the Indianapolis defense. Interestingly, just two years earlier, he was drafted by the Astros as an outfielder in the MLB Draft.
Bettcher spent four years with the Oregon State baseball squad, achieving a solid slash line of .276/.372/.500. In his final season, he notched a career-best 12 home runs and 35 RBIs. His performance that year earned him several accolades, such as an All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention and a spot on the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team.
The Astros selected him in the 13th round of the 2024 draft, backing him with a $150,000 signing bonus. “We felt it was a great opportunity for Bryce,” said Cam Pendino, the Astros’ scouting director at the time. “He’s an exceptional athlete who we believe could excel as a center fielder. He has a natural knack for contact and impressive bat speed. If he focuses on baseball, his potential exceeds that of a typical 13th-round pick.”
Oregon State’s baseball coach, Mark Wasikowski, expressed his support for Bettcher’s transition to football in 2022. Despite being drafted by the Astros, Bettcher returned to the Ducks football team in 2024, where he tallied 230 tackles (13.5 for loss) over his final two seasons. He led the Big Ten in tackles last year, with 80 assists, and secured the Burlsworth Trophy as the FBS Most Valuable Player, having started his career as a walk-on.
During this year’s NFL Combine, Bettcher shared that he has “a strong motivation” to pursue a career in professional football. He mentioned that, for now, he’s putting his baseball aspirations on hold as he aims for a Super Bowl. “You can’t tackle anyone on a baseball field,” he said. “I love baseball, but football makes me feel alive, and there’s a reason I’m here.”
An NFL executive mentioned expectations for Bettcher, indicating he could be “a solid special teamer and potentially challenge for a starting position, if not a strong third linebacker.”
