Last season, Oregon’s inside linebacker unit wasn’t exactly known for wreaking havoc in the backfield - just 2.5 combined sacks all year. But in 2024, that number jumped to 6.5, with Bryce Boettcher leading the way with two, and Jeffrey Bassa, Jestin Jacobs, and Devon Jackson each chipping in 1.5. It wasn’t a seismic shift, but it was a step in the right direction for a group that’s been searching for a true tone-setter in the middle.
Enter Tristan Phillips.
In the 2025 CIF Southern Section Division 6 Championship Game, Phillips didn’t just show up - he dominated. The Ventura High linebacker racked up 6.5 sacks in a single game, helping his team to a 63-28 win over St.
Pius X-St. Matthias.
It was Ventura’s first section title in 25 years, and Phillips made sure it came with some serious exclamation points.
Now he’s in Eugene, and Oregon’s defensive coordinator Chris Hampton isn’t hiding his excitement. At the Ducks’ Signing Day event, Hampton didn’t hesitate to draw a comparison to one of his own: “Bryce Boettcher 2.0,” he said, referencing the hard-hitting veteran.
“He’s been a Duck through and through from Ventura, California. He’s a great kid, he’s about 220 pounds right now and he’s gonna be a 230, 235-pound linebacker that will knock you backwards.”
That kind of physicality is exactly what Hampton wants more of this season. He’s made it clear that Oregon’s defense is shifting into attack mode - more pressure, more disruption, more chaos.
“All gas and no brakes” isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s the blueprint. And for that to work, the Ducks need linebackers who can bring the heat, not just fill space.
Phillips will get his shot this spring. With a starting spot next to Jerry Mixon up for grabs, the competition is wide open - and critical.
Just look at the final eight teams in last year’s College Football Playoff. Every single one had elite linebacker play.
Guys who didn’t just make tackles - they made statements. Oregon’s defense lacked that kind of presence in the middle, and it showed.
If the Ducks want to take the next step, someone’s going to have to step up and fill that void.
There’s no shortage of candidates. Brayden Platt, Dylan Williams, Devon Jackson, Kamar Mothudi, Gavin Nix, Braylon Hodge - all highly regarded prospects, all capable. But someone has to own the B gap, and own it with authority.
Jackson is the veteran of the group and brings serious speed to the table, but injuries and missed tackles have held him back. Oregon can’t afford inconsistency at the heart of its defense.
They need a hammer. A tone-setter.
A linebacker who makes you think twice about running between the tackles.
Phillips might just be that guy.
He’s already shown flashes of what he can do. Whether it’s delivering punishing hits on quarterbacks…
“Huge hit on Barlow from Tristan Phillips as he throws. Incomplete pass, and Camarillo will punt.” - Sept. 13, 2025
…or running through defenders like a freight train on offense…
“Tristan Phillips gets in on the action with this 12-yard TD, plowing through two Buena defenders on the way into the end zone.” - Oct. 4, 2025
…or sealing playoff wins with clutch interceptions…
“Tristan Phillips with the game-clinching interception. Leading 28-14 with 2:48 to play, Ventura looks headed back to the sectional finals for the first time since 2014!” - Nov. 22, 2025
He’s a player who doesn’t just show up on tape - he jumps off it.
Oddly enough, the recruiting rankings didn’t reflect that. The 247Sports Composite had him as the No. 436 overall prospect and the No. 34 linebacker in the 2025 class.
That’s a few tiers below guys like Platt, Williams, and Mothudi. But rankings don’t make tackles.
Phillips does.
Part of that edge comes from his football roots. Both his father and grandfather were high school coaches, and that shows in the way he plays - smart, physical, and relentless. As Phillips told the LA Times, “Whether blocking or hitting on defense, I want to make sure I’m putting you in the ground and you’re feeling it.”
That’s the mindset Oregon needs. They don’t just need someone to fill a spot - they need someone to set the tone.
Someone who brings the boom, plugs the run, and leads by example. The Ducks have the talent to contend.
What they need now is identity - and it starts in the middle.
Phillips has the tools. Now it’s time to see if he can turn potential into production. Because if Oregon wants to play “all gas and no brakes” football, they’re going to need a linebacker who knows exactly where the pedal is - and isn’t afraid to stomp on it.