The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa plans on taking full advantage. Bassa recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Bassa also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his abilities at off-ball linebacker, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Bassa better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Jeffrey Bassa: I was at the facility finishing up our day. I got a text from our director of operations. They asked me to come up to the coaches floor. I saw the Reese’s Senior Bowl box waiting for me (laughs).
I was so excited. I knew what it was. I didn’t even wait until I got home to open it (laughs). I really sat there and went through all of the emotions. You grow up through your college football career and watch your older teammates go to the Senior Bowl. Before you know it, it’s your turn.
To be one of those guys that got selected for the Senior Bowl, it’s a true blessing.
JM: You earned it. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Jeffrey Bassa: Confidence in my abilities. I have a strong urge to compete against the best of the best. Right when I got the invite, I knew I was going to accept it. I’m going down there to Mobile to compete with the best. I want to show the coaches what I can do at the highest level of competition.
JM: Expanding on that, what are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Jeffrey Bassa: I’m looking to prove to them that I’m a true four-down linebacker. I can play in the run game and stop the run on early downs. When it comes to 3rd-and-long, you can match me up against the best tight end. I can drop into coverage or come downhill and rally to the football. I can run with receivers, running backs, and tight ends down the field as well.
I’m going to show that I’m a true four-down linebacker, a very versatile linebacker. I’m going to fly around the field and communicate. I’m going to get our defense lined up right because I’m like another coach on the field. I’m a true leader.
JM: That’s essentially your scouting report. I feel like that’s exactly what you did for a Dan Lanning-coached defense this year. That means a lot to me. You were the No. 1 seed in the country. Talk to me about leading coach Lanning’s defense.
Jeffrey Bassa: It truly was an honor to be the leader of the 2024 Oregon Ducks defense. It was an honor to lead my teammates on the defensive side of the ball. The coaching staff trusted me, especially coach Lanning. They trusted me to go out there and wear the green dot [call the defense]. I ran the defense.
Running a defense is a lot of responsibility. Coach Lanning placed his full trust and belief in me. The entire staff did. In addition to knowing and understanding my job, I understood the roles of the 10 other players on defense as well. I made sure we were lined up in the right calls.
I was always telling my teammates what to be alert for. I made sure all 11 of us were doing our jobs. The staff trusted me to fly around and play high-level football. That’s what I do. I stopped the run and played the pass as well.
JM: It was obvious on tape. The jersey swap is a big deal at the next level, Jeffrey. Anybody you have your eyes on?
Jeffrey Bassa: Truthfully, a lot of guys I watch on tape now. Guys like Fred Warner and Roquan Smith. Foye Oluokun is another one. I love diving into those guys’ tape. I try to pick up little things from their game. I respect all of them.
JM: This has been an outstanding conversation. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Jeffrey Bassa?
Jeffrey Bassa: A successful Senior Bowl means I got better every single day. I’m going to learn and pick up on what I could be doing better from the coaches. I’m going to learn from both the good and the bad.
Coming out healthy is a big one too, of course. I’m going to learn and get 1% better every single day. I can’t wait to go out there and raise my pre-draft stock. I feel like I’m a guy who should be up very high on your draft board. I’m going to prove I belong while competing with the best of the best.
I’m going to fly around, have fun, and do my job.
