2026 Oregon Ducks Offseason Preview: LB room has big cleats to fill
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Inside linebacker has been a strength for the OregonDucks for the past few seasons, largely in part due to the presence of Bryce Boettcher. The Eugene native has been the heart and soul of the Oregon defense for the past two seasons. But 2025 was his final season, and the Ducks will have to find a way to replace his 100+ tackles and overall leadership on the defensive side of the ball.
Oregon definitely has some options in that area, but it won’t be easy. You just don’t replace a player like Boettcher with a snap of the fingers. It might have to be a group effort for the time being until someone steps up.
Depth could be an issue as the Ducks are an injury or two away from being at red alert at the position. As of right now, the numbers are an issue. This is where the transfer portal comes into play. Dan Lanning has been a winner for the most part where the portal is concerned, but he needs to hit a homer here, as he is currently looking.
Returning Players
Jerry Mixon
Talk about coming out of nowhere, Mixon turned himself from being a depth chart filler to one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten. He had three tackles in 2024 as a sophomore. In 2025, he managed 65 tackles, five for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions, including a Pick-6 against Oklahoma State. Mixon should receive plenty of preseason honors as the 2026 season approaches.
Gavin Nix
Nix was one of the top players in the state of Florida in the Class of 2025 as he was a four-star recruit out of Bradenton. He was ranked as the No. 7 linebacker nationally when he committed to Oregon and was able to see action in three games this past season. At 6-foot and 230 pounds, he’s a name to watch in 2026.
Dylan Williams
Williams saw action in seven games in 2025 as a redshirt freshman, and the former four-star recruit has a good chance to see a lot more action in 2026. He was the No. 56-rated overall recruit in 2024 and the No. 6 recruit out of California. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Williams in a starting spot next season.
Brayden Platt
Platt was one of the top recruits to come out of Washington in 2024, and he saw action in two games this past season as a redshirt freshman. He was rated as the No. 4 linebacker nationally, and at 6-2 and 235 pounds, it’ll be fun to see how quickly Platt moves up the depth chart.
Devon Jackson
Replacing Boettcher won’t be easy, but Jackson definitely is Oregon’s best bet to do just that in 2026. The soon-to-be fifth-year senior managed 41 tackles, 15 solo, 26 assisted in 2025. It will be imperative for Jackson to basically double his numbers next season to help with the loss of the team captain.
Players Departing
Bryce Boettcher
It’s going to be near impossible to replace Boettcher, but the Ducks will have to find a way. He’s been the heart and soul of this defense for a couple of seasons now, and being a local kid from South Eugene High didn’t hurt either. Boettcher finished the season with 136 tackles, 5.5 for loss, one sack, and an interception. For his career, Boettcher wound up with 269 tackles, 16 for loss, two sacks and two interceptions.
He’s projected to be drafted in the middle to late rounds of the NFL. If for some reason pro football doesn’t work out for Boettcher, he is in the Houston Astros organization for baseball if he wants to go that route. It’s always nice to have options and the Eugene native has plenty.
Kamar Mothudi
It was inevitable that when defensive coordinator Josh Lupoi took the California job, he would take a few players off of Oregon’s roster and Mothudi was one of them. Cal’s gain is definitely the Ducks’ loss as Mothudi had a good chance of having a nice career in Eugene. The redshirt freshman was ranked as the No. 3 inside linebacker nationally in the Class of 2023. He played in six games in 2025 for the Ducks where he had four tackles.
Incoming Players
Braylon Hodge
At 6-3 and 245 pounds, Hodge could easily see some playing time right away in 2026 as a true freshman. He was the No. 1 prospect coming out of Colorado and No. 8 linebacker nationally. Hodge was recruited by nearly West Coast school and Big Ten team before finally signing with the Ducks.
Tristan Phillips
Phillips is ranked as the No. 15 linebacker and the No. 24 player coming out of Ventura, Calif. At 6-3 and 215 pounds, the four-star recruit might need some seasoning before seeing action on the field. He could see some time on the special teams, however.
Transfer Portal Needs
This isn’t the best season to look for an inside linebacker in the portal, as it is slim pickings right now. Oregon will potentially add a body, but don’t expect a starter because there aren’t many options right now.
Position Outlook
The talent is there, while the numbers may not be right now. Hopefully, that won’t be a problem in 2026. If it does, it might be a huge problem. Football injuries are unpredictable and could show their ugly head at any time. The Ducks, talent-wise, have one of the best linebacker rooms in the Big Ten, and as long as they’re healthy, they’re going to be a blast to watch.
Mixon and Jackson are one heck of a place to start, and if the younger players develop as they should, it’s going to be an opposing offensive coordinator’s nightmare. The only question is who will be the next Mixon, someone who had just three tackles the year before to over 60 tackles the very next season.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Previewing Oregon Ducks LB room ahead of 2026 offseason
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