BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa started his college career as a safety but quickly made the switch to linebacker and it was a smooth transition. He started 42 games for the ducks, so he’s battle tested. that position change a few year’s ago helped him develop into a versatile linebacker.
“Being able to cover running backs out the backfield, run with tight ends vertically, but then as well as be matched up with receivers especially coming over from DB, that’s what you’re doing all day,” Bassa told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Bassa played middle linebacker at Oregon but is probably more suited to play on the outside at the next level. Special teams will be the quickest way for him to make an impact in the NFL. Bassa racked up around 300 special teams reps in college.
“But I feel like with that and with me moving to the linebacker room, I feel like that’s very it comes very easy to me right But now I’m just dealing more with a-gap, b-gap, c-gap,” Bassa said. “So I feel like that’s what everybody’s looking for. You’re looking for a guy who has spent his time covering receivers, but then as well as can stop the run as well. I think that I do that all at a very high level.”
He is considered to be a developmental prospect by draft experts and projected to be a third or fourth round draft pick.
Josh Reed is an award-winning journalist who has served as News 4’s Sports Director since 2015. See more here.