T. J. Bass (American football)

Travis "T. J." Bass (born March 31, 1999) is an American football offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Butte before transferring to Oregon and was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL draft.

Early years
Bass attended Mount Baker High School in Deming, Washington. He was a two-way player at tight end and defensive end. As a junior, he tallied 82 tackles (16.5 for loss), 10 sacks, 6 pass breakups, 13 receptions for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also contributed to the team reaching the 1A state quarterfinals and running back Jed Schleimer setting a school record with 2,511 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns, including 521 rushing yards in a single-game. He received first-team All-Northwest Conference and Washington 1A All-state honors.

As a senior, he contributed to his team averaging 285.5 rushing yards per game and reaching the Class 1A state quarterfinals. He collected 23.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He was named the Northwest Conference 1A co-MVP and a, but was ranked a zero-star recruit. He had no offers to play college football but enrolled at the University of Idaho following his time at Mount Baker.

He also competed in the shot put and discus throw.

College career
Bass grayshirted at the University of Idaho before joining Butte College in January 2018. As a freshman, he was converted into an offensive guard. He contributed to the offense ranking 10th in the CCCAA in rushing yards per game (215.3). He received first-team All-California Region I and first-team CCCFCA All-America honors.

As a sophomore, he contributed to the team winning the Gridiron Classic Bowl title, while ranking ninth in the CCCAA in total offense (437.4) and rushing yards per game (183.8). He received first-team NorCal All-Conference and first-team CCCFCA All-American honors. He was ranked a four-star junior college recruit and was named the best junior college offensive guard nationally by 247Sports. Bass received many high-level Division I offers and eventually chose to play for the University of Oregon.

As a junior in 2020, he started all seven games at left guard, in a season that was reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. He did not allow a sack and surrendered 6 quarterback pressures. He was named the Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play against Washington State University. He earned honorable-mention all-conference honors.

As a senior in 2021, he started all 14 games, the first six at left guard and the final eight at left tackle, after switching places with George Moore IV. He allowed 2 sacks and 14 quarterback pressures. He contributed to the offense ranking in the top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game (202.26) and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (36). He was named first-team All-Pac-12.

As a super senior in 2022, he started all 13 games at left tackle. He allowed one sack and 20 pressures on quarterback Bo Nix. He contributed to the offense finishing as the only unit in the nation in the top 20 for both passing offense (17th, 284.8 YPG) and rushing offense (12th, 215.77 YPG), while being part of an offensive line that led the nation with just five sacks allowed. He was the only player to be named Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week multiple times during the season, receiving the honor in back-to-back games. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 and second-team All-American by The Athletic. He was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after the season. He finished his college career having started all 34 games for the Ducks, 13 at left guard and 21 at left tackle.

Professional career
Bass was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2023 NFL Draft on April 28. He impressed the team in preseason, being the only lineman on the team not to allow a quarterback pressure in their three games. On August 29, 2023, the Cowboys announced that he had made the initial 53-man roster. He was active for all 17 games and had two starts as an injury replacement. He started at right guard in place of an injured Zack Martin in the third game against the Arizona Cardinals. He started at left guard in place of an injured Tyler Smith in the season finale against the Washington Commanders, with the NFC East division title on the line.