Oregon Ducks, BYU and UCLA in Recruiting Race for 2025 Two-Sport California Athlete

The Oregon Ducks have found recent success with multi-sport athletes, like Oregon linebacker and center fielder Bryce Boettcher. 2025 running back McKay Madsen is a shot-putter and discus thrower on the track, plus a linebacker on the gridiron. Oregon along with BYU and UCLA are his top three college choices.

Oct 4, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning high-fives fans before a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

2025 three-star running back McKay Madsen out of Clovis North, California, is a pure athlete. He does it on the ground as a fullback put also on the track as a state champion shot-putter and discus thrower. He's getting recruited in football as a linebacker.

The two-sport athlete has narrowed his focus down to three schools: BYU, UCLA, and Oregon. Madsen visited UCLA's campus in May and BYU's in June. He received his offer from the Ducks back in late July but has yet to visit campus in Eugene.

"I've taken officials to UCLA and BYU and no officials are set for fall, but I plan on taking one to Oregon sometime in December."

- McKay Madsen

Dan Lanning clearly likes the versatility that multi-sport stars can bring to his program. Take a look at Bryce Boettcher, a 13th round MLB draft pick by the Houston Astros. The linebacker has one interception and a team-leading 32 total tackles on the season for Oregon. Four of those tackles came last night in the 31-10 victory against Michigan State.

Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates with fans after the game as the Oregon State Beavers host the Oregon Ducks Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As for Madsen, he can play two sports in college just like Boettcher if he so chooses. He won California state titles in both shot-put and discus. His personal best throws were 63’6” and 206”8”, respectively.

"Madsen is one of the freakier athletes in the ’25 class... We saw him at the SoCal Under Armour Next Camp in March and he stood out among the linebackers and tested really well with one of the top 40 times and vertical jumps of the day. He’s a tough, physical kid, kind of a throwback player who may not be flashy but is affective on both sides of the ball and we could conceivably see him line up on both sides at the college level as well. Has easy Power 4 potential at both fullback and linebacker and would be fun to watch on special teams as a wedge breaker as well."

- Greg Biggins via 247 Sports

In his junior season of football, Madsen rushed for 995 yards and 18 touchdowns to go along with 69 tackles and three interceptions as well as two forced fumbles. During his sophomore season, he ran for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns plus collected 1.5 sacks and one interception on the defensive end.

Madsen measures at 6-2, 220-pounds, and according to 247 Sports, he's a three-star recruit. He's ranked as the No. 58 best athlete in the 2025 recruiting class. Madsen would make a great replacement for Boettcher next season as this is the defensive star's last season with Oregon before he takes the professional baseball route.

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning: 'Tough' Dillon Gabriel Injury Update After Michigan State

MORE: Will ESPN College GameDay Visit Eugene for Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State?

MORE: Oregon Ducks Secure Recruiting Visit With Son of Former NFL Star

MORE: USC Trojans' Bear Alexander Interested in Transfer To Oregon Ducks?

MORE: Oregon Ducks Recruiting Pushing To Flip USC Trojans Four-Star Commit

MORE: Largest College Football Stadiums: Ranking Oregon Ducks In Big Ten Conference