With the Aggies deep at quarterback but thin at safety, A&M coaches approached Bautovich about moving to the defensive side of the ball during spring practice in 2000.
In 2001, Bautovich also received considerable playing time, including a career best 18 tackles against Kansas State.
In total, he tallied 104 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed in two seasons for the Aggies.
Although Bautovich went undrafted, he played in the preseason with the New York Jets, even returning a Carson Palmer interception 78 yards for a touchdown.
Bautovich was cut by the Jets who allocated him to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa, where he played linebacker and recorded 15 tackles and a forced fumble.