EUGENE, Ore. – Preseason honors continued to roll in for the Oregon football team on Wednesday as defensive back Dillon Thieneman was named to the watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award while inside linebackers Bryce Boettcher and Devon Jackson were both selected to the Butkus Award watch list. 

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back, while the Butkus Award honors the best linebacker in college football. 

The Ducks will hold their first fall practice on Wednesday afternoon as they prepare for the 2025 season, which opens at home against Montana State on Saturday, Aug. 30 (1:00 p.m. PT, Big Ten Network). 

Single-game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now.

DB Dillon Thieneman – Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
» 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
» 2025 Walter Camp preseason all-America second team
» One of 15 players named to the 2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors List. 
» Joined Oregon this offseason after spending the last two seasons at Purdue.
» 2023 FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year and Associated Press third-team all-American.
» Ranked third nationally in 2023 with six interceptions and led all FBS freshmen with 74 solo tackles.
» 106 total tackles as a freshman, most among all FBS freshmen and fifth-most in the Big Ten. 
» Led all Big Ten defensive backs in 2024 with 104 total tackles while starting all 12 games for Purdue.

ILB Bryce Boettcher – Butkus Award Watch List
» 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
» 2024 Burlsworth Trophy Winner
» 2024 All-Big Ten second team (coaches & media)
» Started 13 games for Oregon in 2024, leading team with a career-high 94 tackles.
» Also had career highs of 8.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks while adding an interception and a forced fumble.
» Made multiple tackles in 13 of 14 contests, and had at least five tackles 11 times. 
» Back for final year of football eligibility despite being selected by the Houston Astros in the 2024 MLB Draft.

ILB Devon Jackson – Butkus Award Watch List

» Played in all 14 games for the Ducks in 2024, making one start. 

» Finished 2024 with 47 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. 

» Recorded 11 multi-tackle games and three games with at least five takedowns.

» Has played in 31 career games over three seasons at Oregon, registering 65 total tackles, 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.