EUGENE, Ore. — **[Bryce Boettcher](https://247sports.com/Player/bryce-boettcher-46081498/)** still carries that walk-on mentality with him. Even after earning his keep during a productive collegiate playing career, the **[Oregon](https://247sports.com/college/oregon/)** linebacker turned NFL Draft hopeful is simply grateful to be one.
The pre-draft process is rigorous. It requires peak physical conditioning, mental acuity and some serious resolve. Former Oregon teammates saw Tuesday's Pro Day as the conclusion of sorts and celebrated it. Boettcher's point of view was different.
"I've enjoyed it. Doing this is way better than working a minimum wage job somewhere out of college like most college-aged kids have to do, and that's where I'd be if I wasn't here. I like the process. It's been fun," he said. "I'd say I'm still running with house money right now. That's always been my mindset. So I'm not going to change it even though obviously I'm trying to turn it into a career. I'm blessed to be here. I'd rather not be doing anything else. I'd rather be doing this than raking leaves for a living. So I'm always playing with house money."
Boettcher can run faster than most landscapers. That's for sure. He believes he can run faster than most linebackers too. While Pro Day testing results were not made public, Boettcher believed his 40-yard dash time turned some heads.
"I was happy with my numbers, but I don't have the officials yet," he said. "I think going into this scouts thought I was going to run 4.7. They thought I was a little slower than I actually am. But I pre-tested in the low 4.6s, so I feel like I probably met that today."
Boettcher elected not to run the 40 in Indianapolis. He didn't do any of the testing. Unlike some prospects, Boettcher doesn't have a track background. Rather than race to post a subpar time, he chose to take his time to run a fast one.
"I was just trying to get my best shot. I didn't have much time to train after the Senior Bowl. So I gave myself two more weeks to train, and I feel like I did solid," he said. "That's why I didn't test at the Combine. I didn't really run track or do this, so getting into this mindset of run fast, hang out for 15 minutes and then go run a shuttle was different for me. But I feel like I did a good job adjusting."
From here, Boettcher will schedule additional workouts with teams and spend time on Zoom answering questions. He'll remain in Eugene with friends and family for the draft, which will run from April 23-25.
Tuesday was maybe more significant for Boettcher than the others. The Eugene native knows it concluded a "super special" chapter.
"This was the last time I'll step in this Mo lot right here. So it's pretty cool to end it on a Pro Day and in a fashion like this," he said. "It's a little bittersweet. I'm sad to be gone, but excited for the next chapter."