Jeffrey Bassa is a versatile linebacker prospect from the University of Oregon. Originally recruited as a safety, Bassa transitioned to linebacker during his freshman year and quickly became a key contributor for the Ducks‘ defense. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bassa was a two-way standout in high school, playing both wide receiver and safety.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
College Career
Bassa’s college career at Oregon was marked by steady improvement and increasing responsibility. He played in 14 games as a true freshman in 2021, starting seven at inside linebacker. His sophomore season in 2022 saw him play in 13 games with nine starts. Bassa’s breakout year came in 2023 when he started every game, earned Second Team All-PAC 12 honors, and was named Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl.
In his senior season (2024), Bassa continued to be a defensive leader for Oregon, helping the team achieve a 13-1 record and a 9-0 conference record in their first year in the Big Ten. Throughout his college career, Bassa accumulated 236 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions.
Strengths
Athleticism and Coverage Skills: Bassa’s background as a former safety translates well to his linebacker role, particularly in coverage. He displays quick trigger and burst when jumping underneath routes, showcasing his athleticism and fluidity in space.
Blitzing Ability: Bassa is an effective blitzer, consistently disrupting protection schemes. His timing and feel for delayed blitzes allow him to affect the quarterback’s launch point.
Football IQ: As Oregon’s defensive signal-caller, Bassa demonstrates a high football IQ. He processes pre-snap alignments quickly and communicates adjustments with veteran-like savvy.
Versatility: Bassa’s ability to play in various defensive packages and contribute on special teams adds significant value to his draft stock.
Tackling Improvement: Over his last two seasons, Bassa dramatically improved his tackling consistency, posting single-digit missed tackle rates.
Weaknesses
Run Defense: While Bassa has shown improvement, his instincts and diagnosis against the run are still developing. He occasionally gets caught guessing and needs to improve his ability to shed blocks from offensive linemen.
Size: At 235 pounds, Bassa is on the lighter side for an NFL linebacker. He may need to add more weight to his frame to withstand the physicality of the pro game, particularly against the run.
Limited Production in Pass Defense: Despite his coverage skills, Bassa’s ball production has been limited, with only three interceptions in his college career.
NFL Projection
Bassa projects as a developmental starter at the NFL level with the potential to become an impact player by his second season. His ideal fit would be in an aggressive 4-3 defense that incorporates various pressure packages and coverage rotations. Bassa’s coverage skills and blitzing ability make him particularly valuable in nickel situations.
In the short term, Bassa can contribute immediately on special teams while he continues to develop as a linebacker. His athleticism and football IQ suggest a high ceiling if he can improve his play strength and run defense.
Draft Projection
Based on his skill set, potential, and current evaluations, Jeffrey Bassa is projected to be selected in the 3rd round of the 2025 NFL Draft. His combination of athleticism, coverage ability, and room for growth make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to add versatility to their linebacker corps.
Pro Comparison
NFL scouts have compared Bassa to players like Bobby Okereke and Daiyan Henley. These comparisons highlight Bassa’s potential as a coverage linebacker with the athleticism to make plays in space.
Conclusion
Jeffrey Bassa represents the modern NFL linebacker: athletic, versatile, and skilled in coverage. While he needs to improve his play strength and run defense to become a complete three-down linebacker, his potential is evident. Bassa’s background as a former safety, combined with his blitzing ability and football IQ, make him an intriguing prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the right coaching and development, Bassa could become a valuable defensive asset capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
