Christian Albright (born March 29, 1999) is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Ball State. He has also been a member of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).
| No. 97 Saskatchewan Roughriders | |
| Born: | March 29, 1999 Acworth, Georgia, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | 6-game injured list |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | Defensive lineman |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 240 lb (110 kg) |
| College | Ball State (2017–2021) |
| High school | North Cobb (Kennesaw, GA) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2022 | Chicago Bears* |
| 2023–present | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Early life
editAlbright was born on March 29, 1999, in Acworth, Georgia.[1] He played high school football at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, and was a four-year letterman. He recorded 77 tackles, 12 sacks and two interceptions his senior year, earning Atlanta Journal-Constitution first-team all-state honors.[2] He originally committed to UNC Charlotte, but later switched after receiving an offer from Ball State.[3]
College career
editAlbright played college football for the Ball State Cardinals from 2017 to 2021.[2][4]
Albright played in 12 games, starting three at defensive end, his freshman year in 2017, totaling 26 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and two pass breakups.[2] He started all 12 games at linebacker in 2018, accumulating 67 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one interception, and three pass breakups while garnering third-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) recognition. He led the team in sacks and forced fumbles that season.[2]
Albright started all 12 games at linebacker again in 2019, recording 71 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and four pass breakups.[2] He led the team in forced fumbles for the second consecutive season. He started all eight games at linebacker during the COVID-19–shortened team's 2020 season, recording 31 tackles, three sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown during the MAC Championship Game victory over the Buffalo Bulls. Albright was also named second-team All-MAC in 2020.[2]
He started all 13 games during his fifth season of college football in 2021, recording 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups.[5] Albright started 48 straight games during his college career.[5]
Professional career
editChicago Bears
editAfter going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, Albright signed with the Chicago Bears on May 9, 2022.[6] He was waived/injured on August 6 and reverted to injured reserve the next day.[6] On August 11, 2022, he was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement.[7]
Saskatchewan Roughriders
editAlbright was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on February 6, 2023.[8][9][6] He was moved to the practice roster on June 4, and was promoted to the active roster on September 21.[6] Albright made his CFL debut on September 22 against the Ottawa Redblacks, and totaled two tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble.[10] For his performance in his CFL debut, he was named the CFL run defender of the week for Week 16 by Pro Football Focus.[11]
Overall, he dressed in four games, starting three, for the Roughriders in 2023, recording four defensive tackles, two special teams tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble before being placed on injured reserve on October 20, 2023.[1][6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Christian Albright". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Christian Albright". ballstatesports.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Britton (October 13, 2023). "Christian Albright hoping to shine with Riders". cjme.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Christian Albright relishing opportunity with Roughriders". ckom.com. September 26, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "Cardinals ink NFL deals". ballstatesports.com. May 9, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Christian Albright". footballdb. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Christian Albright: Reaches injury settlement". cbssports.com. August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Roughriders sign defensive end Christian Albright". leaderpost.com. February 6, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Roughriders sign Ball State standout Christian Albright". 3downnation.com. February 6, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Shire, Taylor (September 26, 2023). "Roughriders' Christian Albright alright with CFL debut". leaderpost.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Vesnaver, Bryson (September 27, 2023). "CFL Week 16: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards". pff.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.