De'Vante Bausby

College career

Bausby played in all 14 games as a freshman for Pittsburg State University in 2011. On November 12, he scored his first and only touchdown while returning a blocked punt against Missouri Southern. That season he recorded 20 tackles and one interception. In the NCAA Division II semifinals against Delta State on December 10, he had five tackles and an interception. During his sophomore season in 2012, he played all 10 games and made 21 tackles, including eight tackles, a sack, and an interception during the September 8 game against Central Oklahoma. As a junior in 2013, he started 11 of 12 games, recorded 39 tackles, and earned third-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) honors. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in 2015.

Professional career

Bausby signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He broke his collarbone during mini-camp in June 2015 and was released by the Chiefs with an injury designation. After completing rehab, he signed to the Bears' practice squad on December 22, 2015, and signed a reserve/futures contract with the team on January 4. He was released on September 3, 2016, signed to the practice squad the next day, promoted to the active roster on October 10, 2016, released on November 19, re-signed three days later, released again on December 13, and re-signed to the practice squad.

He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on January 3, 2017, but was waived on May 1, 2017. He signed with the Chiefs on May 3, 2017, and was waived on September 2, 2017. On September 12, 2017, he signed to the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad; the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII while he was on it. He re-signed with the Eagles on February 13, 2018, was waived on September 1, 2018, signed to the practice squad the next day, released on September 11, re-signed to the practice squad on November 5, promoted to the active roster on November 17, and waived on December 24, 2018.

On January 9, 2019, he signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF. In the season opener against the San Diego Fleet, he intercepted quarterback Mike Bercovici in the third quarter. At the time of the league's suspension, he was leading the AAF in pass breakups and interceptions, including a 99-yard "pick 2" play that helped seal his team's win in week 7. After the AAF suspended football operations, he signed with the Denver Broncos on April 8, 2019, and earned a spot as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart.

In week 5 versus the Chargers, he suffered a neck injury that left him immobile for a short period after a collision with Alexander Johnson, and was placed on injured reserve on October 8, 2019. He re-signed with the Broncos on March 19, 2020, was released on September 5, 2020, signed to the practice squad the next day, promoted to the active roster on September 16, and named the fourth cornerback behind Michael Ojemudia, Bryce Callahan, and Essang Bassey.

He was released on October 24 when A. J. Bouye came off injured reserve. On October 30, 2020, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals, played one game versus the Miami Dolphins, and was waived. On November 10, 2020, he was claimed off waivers by the Broncos. On June 17, 2021, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and was released on August 16, 2021.

On October 27, 2021, he signed to the New England Patriots practice squad. He was selected by the New Jersey Generals of the USFL with the third pick of the eighth round of the 2022 USFL draft. He signed with the Washington Commanders on August 4, 2022, but was released on August 16. On November 17, 2022, he was drafted by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

Against the Vegas Vipers in week one, he recorded a pick six with almost four minutes left in the game to put the Renegades up 22–14, and the team's eventual stop on the 2-point conversion attempt by Luis Perez propelled them to a 22–20 win. He was not part of the roster after the 2024 UFL dispersal draft on January 15, 2024.