There may be little doubt that the Bucs’ front-office personnel readily available in Cellular, Alabama this week might be carefully monitoring the within linebacker place. It is without doubt one of the handful of defensive wants the staff has on that facet of the soccer, and it’s a place that could possibly be bolstered within the 2025 NFL Draft.
Among the many gamers Tampa Bay may goal is Oregon inside linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. Bassa gained loads of expertise with the Geese as a four-year starter who performed 55 video games and performed at a excessive degree in opposition to high-level competitors – which included Bucs working again Bucky Irving.
He mentioned the observe battles he had with Irving in 2022 and 2023 and what he’s seeking to accomplish this week whereas speaking with Pewter Report after Tuesday’s Senior Bowl observe.
Jeffrey Bassa Needs To Present Why He Ought to Be Excessive Up Draft Boards
Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Jeffrey Bassa is among the many numerous high school prospects who make the trek to the Senior Bowl with one factor on their thoughts.
Proving themselves.
Though Bassa put collectively a productive 4 seasons with the Oregon Geese, he got here into the week with a mid-round grade. Each participant has the possibility to bump up their draft inventory in entrance of coaches, scouts, and executives by making performs and being constant. Depend him in as somebody who desires to fly round, have enjoyable, and sustain the vitality.
“It was good,” Bassa stated about how the primary observe went. “Coming out here, flying around, being with the guys. Going through individual [drills] for the first time, putting this helmet on again for this last week. Being out here with the guys, a new group, so creating a bond with these guys but then competing at the highest level. Going up against the National team throughout seven-on-seven periods and then team periods as well. A lot of energy — flying around and having fun.”
Not solely does Bassa need to play laborious, however he desires to point out that he can play every degree of the sphere and deserves to be greater up massive boards.
“Just a consistent guy that’s going to come out here and compete at the highest level and get 1% better every day, but then show these teams that I’m a true four-down linebacker and that I should be high up their boards,” Bassa stated about what he desires to showcase this week.
“I know all eyes are going to be here, so I think there’s a great opportunity to show teams that I can play the run very well, guard running backs out of the backfield, run with tight ends, and run with receivers when you do need me to. I can play at all levels, and then special teams as well. Special teams is a high value and I take a lot of pride in it.”
Jeffrey Bassa’s Battles With Bucky Irving Made Them Each Higher
Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photograph courtesy of Oregon
What makes gamers higher is who they go up in opposition to in observe. Jeffrey Bassa had the possibility to face off in opposition to Bucs working again Bucky Irving for 2 seasons in 2022 and 2023. Bassa first smiled when requested about these occasions as he mirrored on these good ol’ days.
He was very happy to share how these battles made them higher.
“Bucky Irving, man,” Bassa stated. “Obtained plenty of respect for him. I’m not shocked on the season that he had as a result of going up in opposition to him in observe day by day, that’s what he brings. He’s a man that performs with plenty of ardour and a man that may run the ball very well however then additionally catch screens out the backfield and run nice routes.
“Having the opportunity to go against him for the past couple of years while I was at Oregon, I was very blessed and fortunate to just get that competition every day. Whether that was one-on-ones, pass rush, or one-on-ones guarding him, it made me and him both better.”
Jeffrey Bassa Flashed Playmaking Capacity With Geese, Is Keen To Bulk Up
The transformed defensive again transitioned to inside linebacker for his sophomore season and didn’t look again. Jeffrey Bassa flashed a knack for making performs with three interceptions between 2022 and 2024, together with a 45-yard pick-six in 2023. Whereas he didn’t document an interception in 2024, he completed with 54 whole tackles, two pressured fumbles, and 1.5 sacks.
All through Tuesday’s observe, he displayed a knack for staying across the ball and in opposition to ball carriers in protection.
Right here, he recovered to drive the ball out of Michigan working again Donovan Edwards’ palms.
Then, he broke down one other good play he made with Pewter Report. It appears like he would match proper into head coach Todd Bowles’ protection.
#Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa made a incredible move breakup on Day 1 of the #SeniorBowl. We spoke with him after observe the place he detailed what he noticed on the play.
Bassa desires to remain nimble and play across the 226 kilos he measured in at, however is keen to placed on a number of kilos and situation himself.
Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
“If teams do need me to bulk up, that’s something that I’ll do,” Bassa stated. “Whatever’s good for the team or whatever they need me at. I feel pretty good around the 225 and above area, that’s really where I feel like I can still strike blockers and play the run but also feel comfortable in my body running. Whether that’s 233 or 235 [pounds], I feel like I can get conditioned and condition my body to get to that point.”
The Bucs could also be pressured to exchange Lavonte David this offseason, and David is somebody who has performed across the 233-pound weight all through his whole profession. Jeffrey Bassa desires to observe go well with and change into a real imposer in the midst of an NFL protection.
“A real do-it-all linebacker,” Bassa stated on the kind of participant he desires to change into. “A real Swiss-army knife type of linebacker is what I like to call myself.”
