Essang Bassey

Essang Bassey (born August 12, 1998) is an American football cornerback for the Denver Broncos. He played college football at Wake Forest, and played high school football at Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia.

Essang Bassey
No. 34 – Denver Broncos
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1998-08-12) August 12, 1998
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
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-ACC (2018)
  • Third-team All-ACC (2019)
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:39
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:4
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

High school career

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.[1] 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.[2]

College career

Bassey received playing time during his true freshman season in every game in a reserve capacity,[3] accruing 17 tackles.[4]

As a sophomore, Bassey led the Wake Forest defense in snaps played and collected 66 tackles and three interceptions.[2] He was also named an honorable mention on the All-ACC team after the season.[5]

During his junior season, analysts noted his speed and technique as strong points of his game.[6] Bassey was named second-team All-ACC.[7]

Professional career

Denver Broncos

Bassey signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020.[8] He chose the Broncos over the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, who also tried to sign Bassey.[9] 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.[10] He was placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2020.[11]

On September 1, 2021, Bassey was placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the season.[12] He was activated on November 13.[13] He was waived on December 18.[14]

Los Angeles Chargers

On December 20, 2021, Bassey was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers.[15] He was waived on January 8, 2022.[16]

Denver Broncos (second stint)

On January 10, 2022, Bassey was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos.[17] He was waived on September 1, 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad.[18] He was promoted to the active roster on September 14.[19]

On March 22, 2023, Bassey re-signed with the Broncos.[20]

Personal life

Bassey's parents were Nigerian immigrants.[21] He is a Christian.[22]

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