TJ Bass

Travis “T. J.” 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). Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 320 pounds, Bass plays the guard position along the Cowboys offensive line. He played college football at Butte College before transferring to the University of Oregon, where he earned unanimous All-Pac-12 honors. Bass entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has developed into a reliable depth piece for Dallas.

Early Life and Background

Travis T. J. Bass grew up in Deming, Washington, where he attended Mount Baker High School. As a two-way player at tight end and defensive end, Bass demonstrated his athletic versatility from an early age. During his junior season, he recorded 82 tackles including 16.5 for loss, 10 sacks, 6 pass breakups, 13 receptions for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns. His defensive prowess helped his team reach the 1A state quarterfinals while supporting running back Jed Schleimer’s record-breaking season.

As a senior, Bass continued his dominant play, accumulating 23.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and 3 forced fumbles while helping his team average 285.5 rushing yards per game. He earned Northwest Conference 1A co-MVP honors and received first-team All-Northwest Conference and Washington 1A All-state recognition. Despite his high school success, Bass received no Division I offers and enrolled at the University of Idaho following graduation. He also competed in track and field, participating in shot put and discus throw events during his high school career.

Path to Professional Football

After grayshirting at the University of Idaho, Bass joined Butte College in January 2018. The coaching staff converted him to offensive guard, a move that would define his football career. As a freshman, he helped the offense rank 10th in the CCCAA in rushing yards per game (215.3) and earned first-team All-California Region I and first-team CCCFCA All-America honors.

During his sophomore season, Bass contributed to Butte’s Gridiron Classic Bowl championship while ranking ninth in the CCCAA in total offense. His performance earned him first-team NorCal All-Conference and first-team CCCFCA All-American honors. Rated as a four-star junior college recruit, Bass was named the best junior college offensive guard nationally by 247Sports, generating significant interest from Division I programs. He ultimately chose to continue his career at the University of Oregon.

Travis “T. J.” Bass Career

Oregon Ducks Breakthrough (2020–2022)

Bass joined the Oregon Ducks in 2020 and immediately earned a starting role at left guard, starting all seven games during the pandemic-shortened season. He demonstrated exceptional pass protection, not allowing a single sack while surrendering only 6 quarterback pressures. His performance against Washington State University earned him Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week recognition.

In 2021, Bass started all 14 games, splitting time between left guard and left tackle after switching positions with George Moore IV. He allowed only 2 sacks and 14 quarterback pressures while helping Oregon rank in the top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game (202.26) and tie for sixth in rushing touchdowns with 36. His dominant season earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors for the first time.

As a super senior in 2022, Bass served as the starting left tackle for all 13 games, allowing just one sack and 20 pressures on quarterback Bo Nix. Oregon’s offense became the only unit in the nation ranked in the top 20 for both passing (17th, 284.8 YPG) and rushing (12th, 215.77 YPG) offense. The offensive line led the nation with just five sacks allowed all season. Bass was the only player to earn Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week multiple times that season and received the honor in back-to-back games. He finished his college career having started all 34 games for the Ducks, establishing himself as one of the conference’s top offensive linemen.

Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–Present)

Bass signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2023. He impressed the coaching staff during the preseason, becoming the only lineman on the team who did not allow a quarterback pressure across three games. On August 29, 2023, the Cowboys announced that Bass had made the initial 53-man roster, securing his spot on the team.

During his rookie season, Bass appeared in all 17 games with two starts. He made his first career start at right guard against the Arizona Cardinals, filling in for injured All-Pro Zack Martin. He earned another start at left guard in the season finale against the Washington Commanders with the NFC East division title on the line. In 2024, Bass appeared in 15 games, starting three contests at both guard positions while rotating extensively due to injuries along the offensive line.

During the 2025 season, Bass continued his development as a versatile reserve, appearing in 16 games and making five starts (three at right guard, two at left guard). On January 3, 2026, the Cowboys placed Bass on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury. Following the season, the Cowboys designated Bass as a restricted free agent and placed a second-round tender on him on March 7, 2026. He signed his tender on March 17, 2026, ensuring his return to Dallas.

Playing Style and Strengths

Bass is known for his positional versatility along the offensive line, having played both guard and tackle positions at Oregon and throughout his NFL career. His footwork and balance allow him to mirror defenders in pass protection, while his size and strength create push in the running game. His rare combination of agility and power helped him dominate at the junior college level and earn recognition as the top junior college offensive guard in the nation. At Oregon, he demonstrated the ability to protect elite quarterbacks like Bo Nix while opening holes for productive rushing attacks.

Notable Events and Milestones

Bass achieved significant milestones during his college career, most notably his unanimous first-team All-Pac-12 selections in 2021 and 2022. His 2022 season stood out as he became the only player in the conference to earn Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week multiple times during the year. He was named second-team All-American by The Athletic and received an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. In the NFL, his rookie campaign saw him become the only Cowboys lineman in 2023 not to allow a quarterback pressure during the preseason, establishing his reputation for reliability.

Travis “T. J.” Bass Career Statistics

Throughout his three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Bass has established himself as a valuable depth piece capable of playing both guard positions. His ability to step in as an injury replacement for multiple All-Pro players demonstrates his readiness when called upon.

NFL Career Summary

Bass has appeared in 48 games with 10 starts across his three NFL seasons through 2025. His rookie year featured 2 starts in 17 games played, while 2024 saw him make 3 starts across 15 games. In 2025, Bass earned his most extensive playing time with 5 starts in 16 games. His most significant action came when filling in for injured All-Pros Zack Martin and Tyler Smith, demonstrating his ability to protect at an elite level.

College Honors

Before his NFL career, Bass earned prestigious recognition at Oregon. He was a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2021 and 2022, and a second-team All-American by The Athletic in 2022. He was also named the best junior college offensive guard nationally by 247Sports during his time at Butte College, where he earned multiple All-American honors at the junior college level.

Family

No verified information about Travis T. J. Bass’s family background or personal relationships is available in public sources.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season marked Bass’s most productive year as a professional. Appearing in 16 games with 5 starts, he demonstrated improved consistency and technique at the guard position. His ability to play both left and right guard provided the Cowboys with valuable positional flexibility along their offensive line. During the season, he took over starting duties multiple times due to injuries, including extended action at left guard when Tyler Smith was sidelined.

Bass’s performance throughout the season showed his continued development as an NFL-caliber offensive lineman. His most sustained stretch came in Weeks 14 and 15, where he started consecutive games at right guard while Cooper Beebe recovered from a concussion. His ability to seamlessly transition between positions without a drop in performance highlighted his preparation and football IQ. The Cowboys coaching staff relied on him as a trusted reserve capable of filling various roles along the interior line.

Despite his strong season, Bass’s year ended prematurely when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve on January 3, 2026, due to a knee injury. The injury occurred late in the regular season, cutting short what had been his best professional campaign. Following the season, the Cowboys demonstrated their confidence in Bass by placing a second-round restricted free agent tender on him, indicating their belief in his long-term value to the organization. His signing of that tender on March 17, 2026, ensures he will continue his career in Dallas as he works toward full recovery and expanded role in the offensive line rotation.