Kansas City Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa explains his Swiss Army knife approach to defense
"One of the main things that I take a lot of pride in is being a communicator. Even in my college tape room or my college coaches, they will say he's always a communicator," said Bassa. "He knows what's going on; he knows what the offense is going to do, so now I have to get to the point where I can get enough confidence in the defense. Okay, now let me start winning the offense a little bit and call out what they're going to do."
Bassa was selected in the fifth round with the 156th pick in this year's NFL Draft, securing a versatile signal caller and occasional secondary option. As a former safety, he could make him an essential defensive utility player who can step into several roles for Spagnuolo's schemes.
"Communication, but also being a versatile linebacker, got to be able to cover and run in this defense and this league, but then you also got to be able to stop the run," said Bassa, "So I take a lot of pride to be a physical but then also being the linebacker that you can maybe on third down, you can match me up, or you can match me up on a star tight end, or you can have me Blitz, and rush the quarterback, or you can be having a quarterback spy, and using my versatility, I like to call myself a Swiss Army knife."
During the 2024 season, Bassa was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference with the Oregon Ducks and played in all 14 games, starting in 12. He finished with 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
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