The B.C. Lions signed defensive back Essang Bassey on Thursday.
Essang Bassey is five foot ten and weighs 190 pounds. The 27-year-old from Columbus, Georgia, signed with the Washington Commanders on August 11, 2025. In 2025, he made five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist) in two preseason games. The Commanders released him on August 25, 2025.
The Denver Broncos signed Bassey as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2020. He also spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions. Bassey made 60 tackles (45 solos, 15 assists), four tackles for loss, one interception for 26 yards, seven pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 43-career NFL games.
Collegiately, Bassey spent four seasons at Wake Forest (2016-19) with 228 tackles (162 solos, 66 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions for 31 yards, one touchdown, 45 pass breakups, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 52 games for the Demon Deacons.
In 2017, Bassey was an All-ACC Honorable Mention when he finished the season with a career-high 75 tackles (52 solos, 23 assists), six tackles for loss, three interceptions for 30 yards, one touchdown, and 16 pass breakups in 13 games.
In 2018, he was named Second Team All-ACC after finishing the season with 74 tackles (53 solos, 21 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, 15 pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown in 12 games. He led the team in pass breakups for the second straight season.
Bassey concluded his collegiate career in 2019 when he was named Third Team All-ACC after finishing the season with 60 tackles (41 solos, 19 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, 11 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 13 games.
