Essang Bassey

Essang Bassey
No. 27
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1998-08-12) August 12, 1998 (age 26)
Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Columbus (GA)
College:Wake Forest
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:60
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:7
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Essang Bassey (born August 12, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback.[1] He played college football at Wake Forest, and played high school football at Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia.

Early life

Playing both offense and defense at Columbus High School in Georgia, Bassey split time between cornerback, wide receiver and running back. He also was an explosive kick returner, averaging 30 yards per return during his senior season.[2] Bassey considered interest from Wofford, Tulane, Georgia Southern and Wake Forest until going to Winston-Salem for a camp and committing to Wake Forest three days later, citing the program's passion for the game and standards off the field.[3]

College career

Bassey received playing time during his true freshman season in every game in a reserve capacity,[4] accruing 17 tackles.[5]

As a sophomore, Bassey led the Wake Forest defense in snaps played and collected 66 tackles and three interceptions.[3] He was also named an honorable mention on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team after the season.[6]

During his junior season, analysts noted his speed and technique as strong points of his game.[7] Bassey was named second-team All-ACC.[8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 9+3⁄8 in
(1.76 m) 		191 lb
(87 kg) 		31 in
(0.79 m) 		7+7⁄8 in
(0.20 m)		 4.46 s 1.53 s 2.60 s 4.13 s 6.95 s 39.5 in
(1.00 m)		 10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		 12 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

Denver Broncos (first stint)

Bassey signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020.[11] He chose the Broncos over the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, who also tried to sign Bassey.[12] In Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints, Bassey recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Taysom Hill during the 31–3 loss.[13] He was placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2020.[14]

On September 1, 2021, Bassey was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the season.[15] He was activated on November 13.[16] He was waived on December 18.[17]

Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)

On December 20, 2021, Bassey was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers.[18] He was waived on January 8, 2022.[19]

Denver Broncos (second stint)

On January 10, 2022, Bassey was claimed off waivers by the Broncos.[20] He was waived on September 1, 2022, and re-signed to the practice squad.[21] He was promoted to the active roster on September 14.[22]

On March 22, 2023, Bassey re-signed with the Broncos.[23] He was released on October 3.[24]

Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)

On October 4, 2023, the Chargers claimed Bassey off of waivers after trading J. C. Jackson to the New England Patriots.[25][26]

Detroit Lions

On August 13, 2024, Bassey signed with the Detroit Lions.[27] He was released on August 27.[28]

Personal life

Bassey's parents were Nigerian immigrants.[29] He is a Christian.[30]

References

  1. ^ Alper, Josh (August 13, 2024). "Lions sign CB Essang Bassey". NBC Sports. NBC Universal. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Peluchette, Natalie (January 12, 2016). "Essang Bassey: Athlete and Brains". WRBL. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Crumpler, John (March 21, 2018). "Crump's Chalkboard: Essang Bassey". Wake Forest Review. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  4. ^ "How John Wolford and his Wake Forest teammates became All-ACC Players". ACCSports.com. November 30, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Ferrer, Kyle (September 1, 2017). "Deacon Spotlight: Essang Bassey". Old Gold & Black. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  6. ^ "Essang Bassey CB Wake Forest". The Draft Network. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  7. ^ Borquez, Gavino (December 22, 2018). "2019 NFL draft: Top prospects to watch in Birmingham Bowl". Draft Wire. USA Today. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  8. ^ Friedlander, Brett (November 26, 2018). "Six Wolfpack players earn first-team All-ACC football honors". North State Journal. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  9. ^ "Essang Bassey Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Essang Bassey College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  11. ^ Heath, Jon (April 25, 2020). "Broncos signing undrafted free agent CB Essang Bassey". Broncos Wire. USA Today. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  12. ^ "Episode 11: The Next Chapter". Apple Podcasts. Treefort Media. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  13. ^ "New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos - November 29th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  14. ^ DiLalla, Aric (December 9, 2020). "Broncos place CB Essang Bassey on IR". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  15. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 31, 2021). "Broncos make series of roster transactions to reach 53-man limit". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  16. ^ DiLalla, Aric (November 13, 2021). "Broncos activate Essang Bassey from Physically Unable to Perform list, elevate four players for #PHIvsDEN". DenverBroncos.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  17. ^ Swanson, Ben (December 18, 2021). "Broncos activate P.J. Locke from Reserve/COVID-19 list before #CINvsDEN". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  18. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Claim Essang Bassey". Chargers.com. December 20, 2021.
  19. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Activate Kyler Fackrell". Chargers.com. January 8, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  20. ^ Alper, Josh (January 10, 2022). "Broncos claim Essang Bassey off waivers". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  21. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 1, 2022). "Broncos sign CB Darius Phillips". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Swanson, Ben (September 14, 2022). "Broncos place Justin Simmons on injured reserve, promote Essang Bassey to active roster". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  23. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 22, 2023). "Broncos re-sign CB Essang Bassey". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  24. ^ Alper, Josh. "Broncos waive Essang Bassey from active roster, sign Tre'Quan Smith to practice squad". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  25. ^ Chargers Communications (October 4, 2023). "Los Angeles Chargers Claim Cornerback Essang Bassey". Chargers.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  26. ^ Camras, Noah (October 4, 2023). "Chargers News: Bolts Poach Cornerback From Division Rival to Replace JC Jackson". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  27. ^ Alper, Josh. "Lions sign CB Essang Bassey". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  28. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2024.
  29. ^ "On A Mission". Drafted Podcast. Treehouse Media. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  30. ^ "Episode 8: On The Clock". Apple Podcasts. Treehouse Media. Retrieved October 16, 2020.