Six Oregon Football Players Named to Preseason Watch Lists

Via Oregon Communications:

EUGENE, Ore. – Six members of the Oregon football team were named to preseason watch lists for major awards on Tuesday, with three Ducks recognized for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy. 

Inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher, defensive back Dillon Thieneman and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei were all selected to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in college football. 

Offensive linemen Iapani Laloulu, Emmanuel Pregnon and Isaiah World were named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, which honors the nation’s top interior lineman. 

The reigning Big Ten Champions will open fall camp on Wednesday in preparation 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. 

ILB Bryce Boettcher – 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.

DB Dillon Thieneman – Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

» One of 15 players named to the 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. 

OLB Matayo Uiagalelei – Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

» One of 15 players named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List.

» All-Big Ten first-team selection by the media in 2024, and second team by the league’s coaches.

» 2024 finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.

» Led the Big Ten during the 2024 regular season with a career-high 10.5 sacks while adding a career-high 12.5 TFLs.

» Finished 2024 with 38 total tackles, two forced fumbles, a blocked kick and an interception.

» Registered at least one sack in nine of 14 games with two multi-sack performances.

OL Iapani Laloulu – Outland Trophy Watch List

» 2024 All-Big Ten honorable mention selection.

» Started all 14 games in 2024, the first two at right guard and the final 12 at center.

» Key member of an Oregon offensive line that was a Joe Moore Award finalist for the second year in a row.

» Played a team-high 970 offensive snaps in 2024, including 854 at center.

» Allowed zero sacks and just 10 total pressures in 498 total pass-blocking opportunities, according to Pro Football Focus.

» Zero pressures allowed in nine of 14 games played. 

OL Emmanuel Pregnon – Outland Trophy Watch List

» Joined Oregon in the offseason after spending three seasons at Wyoming (2020-22) and two at USC (2023-24).

» Started all 13 games at left guard for USC in 2024.

» Did not allow a sack in 2024 while playing 882 offensive snaps, all at left guard.

» Has started all 36 games for his teams over the last three seasons.

OL Isaiah World – Outland Trophy Watch List

» Joined Oregon in the offseason after spending the last four seasons at Nevada.

» All-Mountain West honorable mention selection in 2024 while starting all 13 games at left tackle.

» Finished the 2024 season with an 82.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. 

» Started each of the last 35 contests for Nevada over the previous three seasons.