Jeffrey Bassa, one of the top linebackers in college football and the leader of the Oregon Ducks defense, suffered an injury at the start of the 2024 season, which has kept him from having the All-Conference-level season many of us expected. At least, so far.
Bassa rolled his ankle in Oregon’s week one matchup with Idaho, and since then, his on-field role with the defense has been limited. But now, the Bassa we’re used to seeing should be back and ready to go.
“Feeling good, feeling like myself again, Bassa said when asked about his injury after the Ducks’ Tuesday practice. “So you know, I’m at 100%, ready to roll, which is good.”
Bassa described his injury as his ankle getting “rolled up on,” and for a linebacker like Bassa who relies on speed and quickness, an ankle injury can be a big hindrance. It doesn’t seem like the injury was major, but it likely kept him from playing at his best.
“I kind of just got rolled up on, so they kind of just kept precaution going into those next couple of games,” Bassa said. “But now I’m ready to roll.”
Oregon has missed Bassa’s constant presence on defense through their first four games, but because of quality play from other inside linebackers like Bryce Boettcher and Devon Jackson, the Ducks defense has performed well.
Still, Bassa’s return to full form is a major win for the Ducks. His 72 tackles in 2023 don’t begin to describe his full impact. Where Bassa really makes a difference is with his eyes and mouth, deciphering each opponent’s offensive action after tireless film study and calling out his observations to the rest of the Ducks’ defense pre-snap. Oregon will lean on Boettcher and Jackson for the rest of the season, but Bassa’s full return should take the Ducks’ defense to the next level.
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