Boogie Basham

Boogie Basham is an active American professional football linebacker and defensive lineman for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL).

Best known for his raw power and high-effort play style on the edge, he was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and spent five seasons across multiple National Football League (NFL) franchises before making his transition to spring football.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. was born on December 16, 1997, in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. The Outside Linebacker stands 191 cm tall, and his weight was last listed at 124 kg.

He attended Northside High School in Roanoke, Virginia, where he was an imposing force on defense, logging 76 tackles and seven sacks during his senior year. Playing for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2016 to 2020. He developed into one of the most consistent edge rushers in school history, compiling 20.5 career sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss.

Basham earned First-team All-ACC honors in 2019 after a dominant 10-sack campaign, and anchored the defensive front through his senior year before officially entering the NFL Draft.

Professional Career

Basham was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round (61st overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.

He began his rookie season as a rotational defensive end, recording 2.5 sacks in eight games. His most notable moment in Buffalo came during the 2022 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, where he registered both a sack and a dramatic 21-yard interception off Matthew Stafford to help seal a decisive prime-time victory.

He appeared in 15 games that season, contributing key depth to a defensive front that made a push into the postseason.

In August 2023, Basham was traded to the New York Giants in exchange for draft positioning. He played in 13 games during his initial year in New York before shifting to the practice squad and eventually entering a veteran journeyman phase in 2025. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Carolina Panthers in January 2025, spending time on their active roster and practice squad before finishing out the year as a practice squad depth addition for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Looking for consistent playing time, Basham pivoted to spring football, officially signing with the UFL's DC Defenders in March 2026 to serve as a key component of their defensive line rotation.

Off the Field

He is the cousin of veteran NFL defensive end Tarell Basham. He received his famous nickname "Boogie" from his mother when he was an active toddler because he couldn't stop dancing whenever music played.

Career Highlights:

• 2019 – First-team All-ACC
• 2020 – Third-team All-ACC