Essang Bassey

BASSEY AT A GLANCE:

• A third-year cornerback from Wake Forest University who became Denver's 24th college free agent since 1997 to make the 2020 Week 1 active roster out of training camp.
• Played 14 career regular-season games (3 starts) with the Broncos (2020-21) and L.A. Chargers (2021), recording 23 tackles (21 solo), one interception (26 yds.), two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
• Saw action in 12 games (3 starts) in his initial season, collecting 22 tackles (20 solo), one interception (26 yds.), two passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one special-teams stop before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in Week 13 at Kansas City.
• Appeared in 52 games during his collegiate career for the Demon Deacons, totaling 228 career tackles (162 solo), five interceptions (31 yds., 1 TD), one sack (8 yds.), 50 passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
• Elected team captain and received First Team all-state Class 5-A honors by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Georgia Sports Writers Association at Columbus (Ga.) High School.
• Entered the NFL with Denver as a college free agent on April 26, 2020.

BASSEY AT A GLANCE:

• A third-year cornerback from Wake Forest University who became Denver's 24th college free agent since 1997 to make the 2020 Week 1 active roster out of training camp.
• Played 14 career regular-season games (3 starts) with the Broncos (2020-21) and L.A. Chargers (2021), recording 23 tackles (21 solo), one interception (26 yds.), two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
• Saw action in 12 games (3 starts) in his initial season, collecting 22 tackles (20 solo), one interception (26 yds.), two passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one special-teams stop before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in Week 13 at Kansas City.
• Appeared in 52 games during his collegiate career for the Demon Deacons, totaling 228 career tackles (162 solo), five interceptions (31 yds., 1 TD), one sack (8 yds.), 50 passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
• Elected team captain and received First Team all-state Class 5-A honors by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Georgia Sports Writers Association at Columbus (Ga.) High School.
• Entered the NFL with Denver as a college free agent on April 26, 2020.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Signed by Denver as a college free agent 4/26/20; Waived by Denver 12/18/21; Acquired by LAC via waivers (Den.) 12/20/21; Waived by LAC 1/8/22; Acquired by Denver via waivers (LAC) 2/15/22.

2021: Bassey spent the first nine weeks of the NFL season on the reserve/physically unable to perform while recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered last season... Activated from the reserve/PUP list on Nov. 13... Appeared in his first game action for the Broncos vs. L.A. Chargers (11/28)... Acquired by the Chargers via waivers (12/20)... Made his Chargers debut, recording one solo tackle at Hou. (12/26).

2020: Bassey, who entered the NFL with Denver as a college free agent, appeared in 12 games (3 starts) with the Broncos, finishing with 22 tackles (20 solo), one interception (26 yds.), two passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one special-teams stop before sustaining a season-ending knee injury (ACL) in Week 13 at Kansas City... Recorded a career-high five tackles (all solo) in his NFL debut vs. Ten. (9/14)... Made his first career start at NYJ (10/1) and recorded three solo tackles... Posted first career special-teams tackle at N.E. (10/18)... Garnered first career fumble recovery vs. K.C. (10/25)... Notched four solo tackles and registered his first career pass defensed at Atl. (11/8)... Collected first career interception (26 yds.) and added a pass defensed vs. N.O. (11/29).

COLLEGE: Bassey appeared in 52 games (28 starts) with Wake Forest where he finished his career with 228 career tackles (162 solo), five interceptions (31 yds., 1 TD), one sack (8 yds.), 45 passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries... Elected as a team captain for the 2019 season... Finished his senior season with 60 tackles (41 solo), one interception (1 yd.), 11 passes defensed and one fumble recovery... Earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2018 after recording 74 tackles (53 solo), one sack (8 yds.), one interception, 15 passes defensed and one fumble recovery... Started all 13 games played as a sophomore, totaling 75 tackles (52 solo), three interceptions (30 yds. 1 TD) and 19 passes defensed... Earn honorable mention All-ACC recognition after ranking second in the conference in passes defensed (19) in 2017... Named ACC Defensive Back of the Week at Boston College (9/9/17)... Saw action at corner and on special teams in all 13 games played as a true freshman.

PERSONAL: Bassey prepped at Columbus (Ga.) High School, where he was elected team captain and received first team all-state Class 5-A honors by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Georgia Sports Writers Association... Totaled 50 tackles, one interception and three fumble recoveries on defense as a senior while also rushing for 536 yards and two touchdowns and making 39 reception for 503 yards and four touchdowns... Essang Bassey (pronounced: EE-sang BASS-ee) was born on Aug. 12, 1998 in Columbus, Ga.