Oregon’s highly-ranked defense has been heavily aided by Jeffrey Bassa returning for his senior season. Here is a2025 NFL Draft EarlyScouting Reportand film analysis on him.
Overview, Film Analysis, and Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report of Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa
Measurables:
6’2”
235 lbs
Player Background:
Afour-star, Top-35 safety recruit in the nation, Jeffrey Bassa graduated from Kearns HS in Utah and committed to Oregon. He transitioned to linebacker early in the season and stuck there as a big producer. In 14 games, he made 39 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and a pass deflection. A starter of nine games the following season with 13 games played, he remained a large part of the Ducks defense. He totaled 62 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, and two interceptions.
Bassa’s junior season was the first time he started every team game. In the 14 contests, he picked up a career-high 71 total tackles. Along with them, he broke up a pass, made three TFLs, and took back an interception for six. After some consideration, he decided to return for his senior season. Through 13 games, he has 49 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two PBUs.
Accolades:
Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (2021)
All-Pac-12 Second Team (2023)
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP (2023)
Strengths/Pros:
Bassa’s best traits by far are his defensive IQ and ability to understand plays both before and as they happen. He aligns himself in advantageous pre-snap positions that often allow him to effectively impact plays. He’s an excellent communicator mid-play, smoothly passing off assignments and rotating with his teammates. He keeps his leverage across the middle while reading the QB’s eyes, rarely drifting and allowing lanes to open.
He maintains his positioning at the second level against inside runs, attacking any that get past the line of scrimmage. Bassa closes out underneath routes well and jumps on them early, disrupting openings. He has solid arm strength to lock out and maneuver fluidly in the run game. He uses his hands well when shedding blocks and works off onto backs quickly when laterally rotating. His experience on special teams will also give teams a fallback plan if he doesn’t work
Weaknesses/Cons:
The biggest struggles Bassa has is with sinking into his heels and staying too choppy. He gets caught leaning both forward and backward too much and is unable to maintain momentum at times. His movement skills lack refinement despite his DB experience and is too stop-and-go. He doesn’t roam around the field with a high level of rhythm, getting manipulated by route runners and ball carriers too easily.
Bassa’s reaction at the snap is often delayed and he tries to be too patient in coverage. His indecisiveness leads to him getting beat vertically by quicker wideouts. His hips need to be opened up more and he doesn’t have the arm length to make some extension tackles. He’s too heel-oriented in all directions and doesn’t cover enough ground regularly.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Bassa doesn’t have the refined skillset to survive in the faster, stronger NFL, but he could be a solid depth option. He makes everyone around him better with his strong communication skills and facilitates the defense well. He projects perfectly as a stopgap linebacker who can bring a unit together for a short time when called upon and provide both special teams and defensive depth.
Prospect Grade:
Mid 5th Round
Film Exposures:
2024 vs. Ohio State
2024 vs. Illinois
2024 vs. Boise State
Main Image: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images