Latest news with #Bassa
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs rookie LB Jeffrey Bassa describes collegiate position change
Chiefs rookie LB Jeffrey Bassa describes collegiate position change The Kansas City Chiefs selected Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft. Bassa projects as a special teams contributor early in his career but could see action on defense in subpackages because of his range and coverage versatility. A highly viewed four-star recruit in the class of 2021, Bassa took a unique path to finding his current role. He entered college primarily playing safety before kicking down to linebacker to cover for injured teammates. Bassa never returned to safety, but he retained most of the athletic traits that made him a coveted defensive back. While at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, Bassa detailed his experience transitioning from safety to off-ball linebacker. 'It was great. You're so used to guarding receivers all the time … You get transitioned into the box, and you're dealing with linemen all the time. You're dealing with vision of the quarterback, dealing with the linemen and assigning everybody to make sure they're alright,' said Bassa. 'I thought it was a quick and easy transition for me because I always wanted to have that vocal voice and for people to depend on me to get them aligned right. [I can] also do things that a DB can do and stop the run as well.' Bassa is a lean player who struggles to stack and shed blocks, but his burst and loose athleticism help him evade climbing linemen and tight ends. He's at his best working horizontally to contain outside runs and erasing tight ends in coverage. The Chiefs don't have an immediate role on defense for Bassa to fill, but the former All-Pac-12 selection provides excellent depth with some long-term potential to develop into a contributor.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa discusses his communication skills at the NFL level
Kansas City Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa discusses his communication skills at the NFL level The Kansas City Chiefs selected Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa in the fifth round with the 156th pick in this year's NFL Draft, securing a versatile signal caller and occasional option in the secondary. On Sunday, he spoke with media members at rookie camp, sharing his thoughts on learning defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's game plan and communication skills in his role. "So far, I mean, everybody knows that (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spags' defense is really complex, but coming into rookie minicamp, you obviously want to get a head start on that, right?" said Bassa, "I feel the opportunity to come out here for rookie minicamp, learn the defense, (and) kind of go through the first couple (of) installs has been really good for me. Overall, I feel like I'm catching on pretty well. Honestly, right now I feel like I'm at a good stage where I can keep going back and looking at the notes and looking at the film and say, 'Okay, I was supposed to do this instead of this,' right? So, just catching on slowly day by day." During the 2024 season, Bassa was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference with the 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. "I think it (communication) tremendously drives my game. A guy who was responsible for doing all of that at Oregon, I feel like that translates here as well, especially under (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spag's defense." said Bassa, "You have to be a linebacker that can communicate, make sure your defensive line's set as well as making sure the DB's are on the same page as everybody else, right? I took a lot of pride in that at Oregon, so for me to have the same role, kind of heading into a defense where there's a lot of communication, I feel like that's the perfect situation for me. I just have to keep getting better at making sure everybody's right (and) making sure I'm always one step ahead of the game." Being a former safety, Bassa could make him an essential defensive utility player who can step into several roles for Spagnuolo's schemes. The veteran coordinator is known for utilizing multiple players in various roles throughout a game and season.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Everything Chiefs fans need to know about KC's Round 5 pick Oregon Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa
Everything Chiefs fans need to know about KC's Round 5 pick Oregon Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa The Kansas City Chiefs will have a deep pool of linebackers to patrol the middle of Steve Spagnuolo's defense next season, especially after the team's decision to select Oregon Ducks star Jeffrey Bassa in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL draft last week. Despite his status as a fifth-rounder, Bassa has the potential to be an underrated contributor for the Chiefs as a rookie, especially if he earns a role on Kansas City's special teams unit. Take a look at everything the Chiefs had to say about Bassa in their official draft packet: Jeffrey Bassa college bio "Spent four seasons at Oregon (2021-24)… Played in 55 games (42 starts) and recorded 235 tackles (125 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, three interceptions, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown… Played in all 14 games (12 starts) for the Ducks in 2024… Tallied 54 tackles (23 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles… Started all 14 games in 2023 Recorded 71 tackles (42 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, one interception which he returned for a touchdown and one pass defensed… Played in 13 games (nine starts) for the Ducks in 2022… Recorded 62 tackles (31 solo), four tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one quarterback hit and two interceptions… Played in 14 games (seven starts) as a freshman at Oregon… Compiled 48 tackles (29 solo), three tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two quarterback hits and one pass defensed… All-Big Ten honorable mention (2024)… Coaches All-Pac-12 second-team (2023)… Associated Press All-Pac 12 second-team (2023)… Vrbo Liberty Bowl Defensive MVP (2023)." Jeffrey Bassa personal notes A four-star recruit by Rivals while also being ranked as the 31st best safety in the nation. No. 1 ranked athlete in Utah by ESPN. A four-year letterwinner and a two-year team captain, who played both offense and defense for Kearns High School (Utah). Jeffrey Bassa draft notes Bassa becomes the first linebacker to be selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round since LBUkeme Eligwe was taken 183rd overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chiefs have selected three other players in franchise history with the 156th overall pick,most recently selecting DT Rob Waldrop out of Arizona in the 1994 NFL draft. Prior to Waldrop,the club selected DT/DE Robert Hews (1970, Princeton) and KR Noland Smith (1967, TennesseeState) with the 156th overall pick. Kansas City has selected twelve linebackers in the fifth round with the addition of Bassa. Prior tohis selection, the franchise drafted LB Ukeme Eligwe (2017, Georgia Southern), LB (2015, Oregon State), LB Gabe Miller (2011, Oregon State), LB Cameron Sheffield(2010, Troy), LB Boomer Grigsby (2005, Illinois State), LB Scott Fujita (2002, California), LBJerrott Willard (1995, California), LB Jeff Paine (1984, Texas A&M), LB Jimbo Elrod (1976,Oklahoma), DE/LB Milton Davis (1972, Texas – Arlington) and LB Bob Stein (1969, Minnesota) inthe fifth round. The selection of Bassa marks the first time the Chiefs have drafted a defensive player in the fifthround since the selection of DE BJ Thompson out of Stephen F. Austin with the 166th pick in the2023 NFL Draft. Bassa was the second linebacker taken in the fifth round and the 13th linebacker taken overallin the 2025 NFL Draft. Bassa is the eighth player to be selected out of Oregon in the 2025 NFL Draft and the onlyformer Oregon Duck on the current Chiefs roster. What did Bassa have to say after the Chiefs picked him? Q: How much have you watched the Chiefs and what have you learned about them? BASSA: 'Honestly, playing football at a high level and just watching football on Sundays after your gameson Saturdays, you're so used to seeing – watching the Chiefs and everything that they do great, right?Obviously, they have Patrick Mahomes, a great quarterback who is always being talked about. Just a greatorganization, and great program and great culture filled with great people, right? Then, all the history thatthey've had over the past couple of years. Guys in the past, like (former Chiefs QB) Alex Smith and thenlegendary Head Coach Andy Reid. Especially in my room, guys like Nick Bolton. I think just having theopportunity to be able to watch them and then now being a part of that, it means a lot. I'm so blessed tobe in this opportunity and be in this position.' Q: Do you think you would play inside or outside linebacker? BASSA: 'Really, either or. Whatever position that (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spagsand (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and all the coaches see me at – I really feel like I'll be most comfortable my main mindset heading into this first year is going to be to learn from guys like Drue (Tranquill)and guys like Nick (Bolton). Being able to come in with a growth mindset, with an open mindset withwhatever position they see me at, that is the position I'm going to master and put my best foot forwardfor.' Q: How surprised were you that the Chiefs traded up for you and that you were still on the draft board?
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa is excited for the opportunity: 'It means a lot'
Kansas City Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa is excited for the opportunity: 'It means a lot' During his virtual introductory press conference on Saturday, Kansas City Chiefs fifth-round pick Jeffrey Bassa commented on the franchise's continued years of success and his excitement to contribute as a player. "Honestly, playing football at a high level and just watching football on Sundays after your games on Saturdays, you're so used to seeing – watching the Chiefs and everything that they do great, right? Obviously, they have Patrick Mahomes, a great quarterback who is always being talked about," said Bassa, "Just a great organization, and great program and great culture filled with great people, right? Then, all the history that they've had over the past couple of years. Guys in the past, like (former Chiefs QB) Alex Smith, and then legendary Head Coach Andy Reid. Especially in my room, guys like Nick Bolton. I think just having the opportunity to be able to watch them and then now being a part of that, it means a lot. I'm so blessed to be in this opportunity and be in this position." Bassa joins a versatile linebackers group that includes Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, and Leo Chenal, as each player features the ability to play multiple positions. He began as a safety so that he could be another option for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's schemes. Last season at Oregon, Bassa was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference with the Ducks and played in all 14 games, starting in 12 of them. He finished with 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Instant analysis: Chiefs pick Oregon Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa in Round 5 of 2025 NFL draft
Instant analysis: Chiefs pick Oregon Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa in Round 5 of 2025 NFL draft The Kansas City Chiefs have been laser-focused on fixing their defense during Days 2 and 3 of the 2025 NFL draft, and added an exciting linebacker in Oregon Ducks star Jeffrey Bassa in Round 5. After trading up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chiefs' front office selected Bassa with the No. 156 pick to shore up the depth in Kansas City's linebacking corps. Check out what Chiefs Wire's resident draftnik Sam Teets had to say about Bassa's skillset back in December: "Bassa offers tremendous versatility in coverage. The Ducks even ask him to play safety in inverted Cover 3. Bassa brackets slot options up the seam and gains excellent depth in zone coverages. His speed keeps him even with tight ends and running backs on vertical plays. Bassa takes some steep angles to his assignments in man coverage. This issue contributed to Bassa allowing a big reception to Penn State's Nick Singleton in the Big Ten Championship Game. Bassa is a tremendous athlete but needs to develop his instincts and technique." While Bassa isn't likely to be a starter for Kansas City as a rookie, the Chiefs could see the former Duck play an important role on their special teams unit while he acclimates to life in the NFL next season.
