Oregon Ducks Defense Loaded With 'Surreal Firepower' in 2024?

Oregon Ducks senior linebacker Jeffrey Bassa believes the defense is loaded with surreal firepower for the 2024 college football season. The Ducks are also adjusting to the new helmet communication rule.

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) with defensive back Evan Williams (33) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The highly anticipated 2024 season for the Oregon Ducks football team begins on Aug. 31 as the Idaho Vandals travel to Autzen Stadium. Senior linebacker Jeffery Bassa spoke to the media after practice on Aug. 28, sharing his confidence on the team’s overall ability and depth going into the season.

 “From the 1s to the 2s,” said Bassa, “It’s kind of like, damn we have all this firepower, right? We have a good three-depth type of defense. We have guys that can play and do a lot of things for this defense as well. It’s kind of surreal, just seeing how much firepower we have.”

The 2024 Ducks football team has lofty goals partially because Lanning and company’s ability to recruit both high school and transfer prospects. Bassa looks to lead a talented Ducks’ defense through their first year in the Big Ten, but first they face the 2023 Big Sky runner-up Idaho in Week 1.

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) with defensive back Evan Williams (33) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“A very explosive offense, you know,” said Bassa. “Going off of last year’s film and a little bit of this year’s film as well, you know, it’s a team that’s coached really well on offense. They like to take explosive shots; they like to take the top off the roof. But then they also pride themselves on a great running game as well.”

The Vandals return five starters on offense, but they lost seven starters from their team to the transfer portal. Idaho quarterback Jack Layne looks to replace former starting quarterback Gevani McCoy, now at Oregon State.

While focused on the opposing offense, Bassa has adopted the growth mindset of his entire coaching staff. Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning consistently talks to his team about setting and maintaining a standard. He challenges the players to focus on themselves instead of their opponent.

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Bassa said, “It’s never about external factors or the other team, right? We know that we have a great team, and we know that we can control what we can control. We have to go out there every game, just knowing that we got to execute at our highest level. It’s not about the other team, we have to execute at our best level.”

Led by Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, Bassa and the Ducks defense have made dramatic improvements in two years under Lupoi and Lanning. Bassa emerged as a leader on the defense in 2023, and he finished the year by winning Defensive MVP in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

With the approval of coach-to-player communications through one player’s helmet, Bassa has had to adjust as one of the leading linebackers on the team. He will be responsible for communicating Lupoi’s calls on the field.

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10), linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) and head coach Dan Lanning lift the offensive MVP, defensive MVP and championship trophy after a victory in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl against the Liberty Flames at State Farm Stadium. / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

“We do have some long-worded calls,” said Bassa. “So, if I hear one word in the call, I know that this is the check to it, or we want to check to this. Can I tell my safety this or tell my (defensive line) to do this instead of this, right? Just being on the same page with my (defensive coordinator). I know me and him, we meet a lot, we communicate back and forth.”

As the voice of the defense, Bassa expects to have his hands full on Saturdays. However, Ducks fans are hoping he’ll be supported by the very firepower he mentioned.

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