Questions continue to surround the Chicago Bears are their secondary. It’s often a situation that creates opportunity for others.

For the time being most fans know the status quo. Kyle Fuller and Tracy Porter are the starters for the Bears defense at cornerback. They played well enough last season to earn that honor. However, the lack of plays they made (just three interceptions between them) leaves the door open just enough for the coaches to consider other alternatives if another player can prove they’d be an upgrade.

One thing defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has always been about in his schemes are bigger cornerbacks. Fuller is reasonable size at 6’0″ but this is about 6’2″ or 6’3″ types with long arms to match up with the towering receivers of the NFL like Kelvin Benjamin or Mike Evans. It was a big reason they drafted Deiondre Hall out of Northern Iowa this past April. However, he hasn’t been the big corner who’s turning heads in practice so far.

Jeremy Stoltz of Bear Report was the latest to take notice of the young De’Vante Bausby during training camp.

“During team drills, WR Josh Bellamy ran a deep go route up the right sideline. QB Brian Hoyer fired a pass in Bellamy’s direction but CB De’Vante Bausby never let the receiver get behind him. At the same time, S Deon Bush was closing in for a big hit on Bellamy. The pass ended up overthrown and incomplete. Bausby continues to make plays. The 6-2, 190 corner has size, speed and confidence, and can outmuscle receivers at the line of scrimmage. Bausby has worked his way up to the second team.”

He’s a rather fascinating case. Bausby was a lanky 179 lbs unknown out of Pittsburgh State (Kansas). He posted seven interceptions over his final two seasons there but failed to impress scouts who labeled him as “thin”, “passive”, and “slow.” As a result he went undrafted and joined the team as a college free agent in December. He didn’t see any action, so nobody knows what to make of him.

Since then it appears he’s gained some weight and is taking to the instruction provided by Fangio and his staff quite well. There is a certain awareness and ability to mirror in coverage that flashes often when he’s on the field. Combined with his physical dimensions, it’s quite possible the Chicago Bears have gotten themselves a gem. Given the fluid state in the secondary, one or two big plays in preseason should secure him a roster spot. From there it’s a matter of working his way up the ladder.