Christian Albright hoping to shine with Riders

Christian Albright’s love of football started at a young age and, like many others, it started in the backyard.

The Roughriders defensive end said it all began with his father, Tim.

“My dad was the one that mainly got me in it – watching football and then going out in the yard and throwing the football and playing around and stuff. That really got me interested,” the 24-year-old Albright said.

“You know how a dad can be – he can be the hardest one to push you, but then your biggest cheerleader as well.

Albright said he got some tough love along the way.

“It can be frustrating at times, because he is getting on you about stuff you think you’re doing good, but it’s all for the better because he just wants to see you do good and be in your corner and see you reach your potential,” he said.

“It was frustrating, but I knew it was all love and I definitely appreciate him for it.”

As Albright has gone through his career, both at the college and pro levels, he said he’s found the camaraderie to be the part of the game he enjoys the most.

“Just being in the locker room with the guys and going out there and executing the game plan – there really is no better feeling than going out there with your brothers and executing like that,” Albright said.

The defensive end will play in his fourth game for the Riders on Friday as the CFL team tries to end a five-game losing streak and punch their ticket to the playoffs.

If Saskatchewan earns a win in Calgary over the Stampeders, the Riders would own the season tiebreaker and clinch a playoff spot. Kickoff for the game is set for 7:30 p.m.

Albright’s journey took some twists and turns before he made it to the CFL.

After the Kennesaw, Ga. Product started to get some offers to play college ball, he said he knew he had a chance to go somewhere with the sport.

“My older brother played at the University of North Carolina … I had already seen him at that level and, going to visit him and seeing him living the college life, I wanted to get to that level,” Albright said. “I got my first offer and then it was like, ‘OK, I can do this too.'”

He committed to UNC Charlotte, but Ball State came with an offer after his senior season.

Albright played 57 games over five seasons for the Ball State Cardinals from 2017 to 2021 where he recorded 260 tackles, 16.5 sacks, two interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

“We started out real rough my first two years at Ball State – a lot of losses and a lot of hard lessons to learn. We had a lot of young guys in the lineup,” Albright said.

“It was rough at first, but our head coach always told us to stay together and keep working hard and you will accomplish what you want to accomplish and accomplish your dream.”

Ball State went on to win the Mid-American Conference championship in 2020.

Albright went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, which meant he would have to be patient for his next chance.

“It can get stressful because you don’t know what is next. You don’t know what your next opportunity is going to be; if it’s going to be in the NFL or another league,” Albright said.

“If you get your opportunity, you have to make the most of it because being an undrafted free agent, you don’t really get that many opportunities in camp and stuff.”

Albright said that uncertainty taught him to make the most of any chances he got.

“You just have to go out and make the most of your opportunities, and it teaches you to humble yourself as well, because you’re coming off being a high-level college athlete in your mind and then you get to the next level and you’re not getting a lot of reps and stuff and you’re out there with grown men who have been in the NFL for many years.”

Albright signed with the Chicago Bears and attended NFL training camp with the team.

“I was playing linebacker at the time with Chicago, so learning from Roquan (Smith) was great because some of the stuff I saw in practice. It was like ‘How is he seeing stuff that fast? How is he reading the offence that quick?'” Albright said.

He was from the Bears and spent the next few months treating an injury and working out while waiting for his next chance.

Near the end of CFL season in 2022, the Saskatchewan Roughriders reached out to Albright about possibly coming north to play.

“We had held off on it, just trying to keep hope alive for that NFL opportunity,” Albright said.

On Feb. 6, the Riders announced Albright had signed with the team, and that meant he would have to do some research into the league he would be joining.

“I didn’t know much at all. I knew it was up in Canada and it gets pretty cold,” Albright said.

“I didn’t know too much about the Grey Cup. I didn’t know where Saskatchewan was. I didn’t know much at all.”

He started his CFL career on the practice roster, once again waiting for an opportunity.

“It’s tough watching from the sidelines, which I’m sure anybody who has been on the practice squad or has been injured can attest to,” Albright said.

His opportunity came on Sept. 22 against the Ottawa Redblacks, where he finally got the start. He recorded two sacks in that game – on back-to-back plays, no less.

“It was good seeing all the hard paying off and seeing all my teammates happy for me,” Albright said. “That’s a real good feeling.”

As Albright makes his first few starts, the games have increased importance in the playoff race, but he welcomes the extra pressure.

“I like to think of myself as the type of guy who can perform when the lights get a little brighter and when there’s a little more at stake,” Albright said.

“I’m built for it, I feel like. I’ve had similar situations in high school and college.

“At the end of the day, it’s just football. You have to come out and execute and do your job better than the man across from you. I’ll be ready for it, and I know it means a lot to this franchise and the city.”