TJ Bass Bio
Travis “T. J.” Bass (born March 31, 1999) is an American professional football offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 217 pounds, Bass plays a physical, position-flexible role along the interior offensive line. He joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2023 after a standout college career that began at a small Washington high school and peaked at the University of Oregon.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Bass built his career through a long, non-traditional path that included junior college football and a position switch from tight end to offensive line. His rise from a zero-star recruit to a reliable NFL depth piece has made him a steady presence on one of the league’s most recognized rosters.
Early Life and Background
T. J. Bass was born on March 31, 1999, in Deming, Washington, a small community in Whatcom County near the Canadian border. He grew up in the region and attended Mount Baker High School, where he developed as a two-way player on the football field. As a junior, he lined up at both tight end and defensive end, recording 82 tackles with 16.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 6 pass breakups, and 13 receptions for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns. His team reached the 1A state quarterfinals that season, and he was recognized with first-team All-Northwest Conference and Washington 1A All-State honors.
As a senior, Bass helped his team average 285.5 rushing yards per game and again reach the Class 1A state quarterfinals. He finished with 23.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, earning Northwest Conference 1A co-MVP honors. Despite those numbers, he was ranked as a zero-star recruit and received no college offers. He also competed in track and field, throwing the shot put and discus. With no scholarship opportunities, Bass enrolled at the University of Idaho following high school.
Path to American Football
Bass grayshirted at the University of Idaho before joining Butte College, a community college in California, in January 2018. The move to Butte marked a turning point in his development. As a freshman, he was converted into an offensive guard, and the offense ranked 10th in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) in rushing yards per game at 215.3. He earned first-team All-California Region I and first-team California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) All-America honors.
As a sophomore at Butte, Bass helped the team win the Gridiron Classic Bowl title while ranking ninth in the CCCAA in total offense and rushing yards per game. He repeated as a first-team CCCFCA All-American and was ranked as a four-star junior college recruit, with 247Sports naming him the best junior college offensive guard in the country. That recognition brought a wave of Division I offers, and he chose to transfer to the University of Oregon. At Oregon, he transitioned from a small-town athlete into a Pac-12 starter and a future NFL signee.
TJ Bass Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Bass’s college career at Oregon began in 2020, a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. He started all seven games at left guard and did not allow a sack while giving up only six quarterback pressures. His steady play earned him Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance against Washington State, and he finished the year with honorable-mention all-conference recognition.
That debut season established Bass as a dependable, technically sound lineman. The reduced schedule limited his exposure, but his production in pass protection and run support gave Oregon a foundation to build around heading into 2021.
Oregon Breakthrough (2021–2022)
In 2021, Bass started all 14 games for the Ducks, opening the first six contests at left guard before moving to left tackle for the final eight games after switching with teammate George Moore IV. He allowed two sacks and 14 pressures while helping the offense rank in the top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game and tie for sixth in rushing touchdowns. His play earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
As a super senior in 2022, Bass started all 13 games at left tackle, protecting quarterback Bo Nix and allowing just one sack and 20 pressures. He was part of an offensive line that led the nation by allowing only five sacks, and Oregon finished the year as the only team ranked in the top 20 nationally in both passing and rushing offense. Bass became the only player to win Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week in back-to-back games that season, and he was named first-team All-Pac-12 and second-team All-American by The Athletic. He was also invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, finishing his Oregon career having started all 34 games, 13 at left guard and 21 at left tackle.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–Present)
Bass signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2023, after the 2023 NFL draft. He impressed the coaching staff during the preseason, becoming the only Cowboys lineman not to allow a quarterback pressure across three exhibition games. On August 29, 2023, the team announced he had made the initial 53-man roster. He was active for all 17 regular-season games and made two starts as an injury replacement, opening at right guard for an injured Zack Martin against the Arizona Cardinals and at left guard for an injured Tyler Smith in the season finale against the Washington Commanders, a game that decided the NFC East title.
In 2024, Bass appeared in 15 games, starting two at left guard and one at right guard. He filled in for Tyler Smith in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and started in his place in Weeks 6 and 12, including a game against the Washington Commanders. In Week 14, he moved to right guard after Brock Hoffman shifted to center due to a Cooper Beebe concussion, and he remained the starting right guard in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers. He was declared inactive in Weeks 16 and 17.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bass is valued for his positional flexibility, having started games at both guard spots and left tackle during his college and professional career. His background as a two-way high school player and his track-and-field experience in throwing events contribute to his functional strength and balance in the trenches. Coaches have praised his calm in pass protection and his ability to step into starting duty without a drop-off in production.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Bass’s career are his 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week awards in back-to-back games and his selection as second-team All-American by The Athletic. In the NFL, his preseason performance in 2023, when he was the only Cowboys lineman to allow zero pressures, stood out as a sign of his pro readiness. His 2023 starts against the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Commanders in a division-title game further cemented his reputation as a reliable emergency option.
TJ Bass Career Wins
T. J. Bass’s career is defined less by signature victories and more by consistent performance across stops in Deming, Oroville, Eugene, and Dallas. His verified team success includes a Gridiron Classic Bowl title at Butte College, a Pac-12 conference runner-up finish with Oregon in 2022, and an NFC East division title game appearance with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.
Oregon Highlights
During his time with the Oregon Ducks, Bass started all 34 games he played and earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition in both 2021 and 2022. He was a second-team All-American in 2022 according to The Athletic, and he received Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honors multiple times in a single season. His offensive line led the nation in fewest sacks allowed in 2022, and he was part of an offense that finished in the top 20 nationally in both passing and rushing.
Other Wins and Performances
At Butte College, Bass won the Gridiron Classic Bowl, earned first-team All-California Region I recognition as a freshman, and was twice named first-team CCCFCA All-American. He was also rated the top junior college offensive guard in the country by 247Sports before transferring to Oregon. In the NFL, his most notable performance came in the 2023 regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders, a game that decided the NFC East title.
TJ Bass Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Bass’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Deming, Washington, and attended Mount Baker High School, where he developed his athletic foundation alongside teammates such as running back Jed Schleimer. There is no widely verified information about his parents or siblings in available sources.
Personal Life
Bass has kept his personal life largely private. There is no verified public information about a spouse, partner, or children. He maintains a presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle teejb56, where he shares aspects of his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, T. J. Bass remains a member of the Dallas Cowboys roster, where he is expected to continue serving as a versatile interior offensive lineman. His experience starting at both guard positions in 2023 and 2024 gives the Cowboys flexibility along the offensive front, particularly behind starters Zack Martin, Tyler Smith, and Brock Hoffman. A strong training camp could position him for an expanded role in 2025.
Bass’s 2024 campaign showed his value as an in-game replacement, as he stepped in three times at left guard and once at right guard without a noticeable drop-off. With the Cowboys continuing to develop their offensive line depth, Bass is likely to remain a trusted backup and a candidate for spot starts when injuries arise. His performance through the early portion of the 2025 season will determine whether he carves out a larger role on a competitive NFC contender.