Oregon will have a talented and experienced linebacker group with an important leadership role in 2025. While the names are more familiar than other defensive positions that Oregon filled in the transfer portal, the Ducks’ returning linebackers will be playing new roles.

The overall theme of Oregon’s defense is rebuilding after losing talent to the NFL Draft which very much applies to the linebacker position. Starter Jeffrey Bassa, who finished fifth on Oregon’s defense in total tackles in 2024, was drafted in the fifth round by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bassa saw the field in all 55 games that Oregon played in his career. Replacing the leadership of the All-Big Ten honorable mention will be one of the keys to Oregon’s defense in 2025.

Bryce Boettcher, who is back for a fourth and final football season, will take over the play-calling role for Oregon’s defense in 2025. Boettcher went through the 2024 season believing that it would be his last, until the NCAA granted him an extra year of eligibility.

“I talked to my family and thought about it for a couple days, but I’d be lying to you if I didn’t know that night that I wanted to come back,” Boettcher said at Oregon Football Media Day.

In his first year as a starter, Boettcher was one of the best all-around linebackers in the Big Ten, leading Oregon in total tackles with 94, including eight tackles for loss and two sacks. The unexpected offseason gave Boettcher a new opportunity to prepare for football season without also focusing on baseball, which required him to be lighter to play center field. Boettcher gained 10 pounds over the off season.

“First off, obviously I put on a lot of weight, which I needed to do,” Boettcher said. “My film study has been incredible, just growing my mental game, which when I’m playing baseball, I don’t have a lot of spare time to be watching film.”

Boettcher also had to prepare for an increased leadership role since finding out he would be taking over helmet communications in the spring.

“I always prided myself on being a good communicator before, whether I had the green dot on my helmet or not, still talking to the guys on the defense and making sure everyone is on the same page, so I’m just going to keep playing my game and the rest will fall into place,” Boettcher said.

Redshirt junior Devon Jackson projects as the likely starter alongside Boettcher at inside linebacker. Jackson broke out last season in a crowded linebacker room behind Bassa and Boettcher. He finished sixth in tackles behind Bassa, including a career high seven in Oregon’s win over Ohio State.

The outside linebacker position will be one of the Ducks’ strongest positions in 2025, with Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti returning from excellent sophomore seasons. Both took on starting roles in 2024, and Uiagalelei’s role increased when All-Big Ten third team defensive end Jordan Burch missed four games with injuries. With Burch being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round, there will be a gap to fill in Oregon’s pass rush.

Uiagalelei led the Oregon defense in sacks in 2024 with 10.5. He received conference recognition by the end of the season, making the media’s All-Big Ten first team and the coaches’ second team. His ability to be head coach Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s best pass rusher over a full season will be one of the most important factors for Oregon’s defense in 2025.

Tuioti earned the starting role in 2024 after playing a rotational role in his freshman season. He finished fourth on Oregon’s defense in tackles with 58 and third in sacks with 5.5. His role was more stable than Uiagalelei’s in 2024, but both will take on more responsibility in 2025.

“There’s a lot of good energy, a lot of young energy and guys that are excited to play football, so it should be fun,” Boettcher said.