| No. 57 BC Lions | |
 Schleuger with the Montreal Alouettes in 2022 | |
| Born: | (1995-05-12)May 12, 1995 (age 29) Wesley, Iowa, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | Offensive lineman |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 305 lb (138 kg) |
| College | Alabama-Birmingham Northern Iowa Iowa Western CC |
| High school | West Hancock High |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2018 | Pittsburgh Steelers* |
| 2018 | Saskatchewan Roughriders* |
| 2019 | Birmingham Iron |
| 2019–2022 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2023–present | BC Lions |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Chris Schleuger (born May 12, 1995) is an American professionalfootballoffensive lineman for theBC Lions of theCanadian Football League (CFL). Schleuger playedcollege football forIowa Western,Northern Iowa andAlabama-Birmingham. In professional leagues, Schleuger was previously a member of thePittsburgh Steelers,Saskatchewan Roughriders,Birmingham Iron andMontreal Alouettes.
Schleuger was born on May 12, 1995 in the rural farming community ofWesley, Iowa as one of two sons. He attended West Hancock High School inBritt, Iowa where he playedkicker,fullback anddefensive end positions as a member of the West Hancock Eagles football team. In his freshman season, Schleuger earned his first letter. After playing his first season as a kicker, the 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), 245 pounds (111 kg) Schleuger transitioned into fullback andrunning back positions, earning First team All-District Fullback and Iowa Newspaper Association Third Team All-State Running back honors. Schleuger's performance during his senior season was rewarded with Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) First and Second Team honors.[1] Despite his athletic performances including making 76 touchdowns and totaling 5,452 yards – a record ranked 15th best in state history – and receiving numerous state and district honors Schleuger was not a ranked recruiting prospect. After graduating high school in 2013, Schleuger would go on instead to playjunior college football.[2]
Schleuger first playedcollege football for theIowa Western Community College Reivers in 2014.[3] He then transferred to theUniversity of Northern Iowa to play for thePanthers in 2015, where he played in all 14 games, starting in eight atleft tackle.[3][4] Schleuger transferred again to theUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham where he played for theUAB Blazers, playing in 13 games in 2017, starting in 12 atleft guard.[3][4] While at Northern Iowa, Schleuger was also a member of the Panthers wrestling team and was a 5th place All-American.[5] After his transfer to Alabama-Birmingham to play his senior season of college football, Schleuger majored inCommunication studies.[6]
After going undrafted in the2018 NFL draft, Schleuger signed with thePittsburgh Steelers as afree agent.[4] He attended training camp with the team, but was part of the final cuts on September 1, 2018.[7]
On September 26, 2018, Schleuger signed a practice roster agreement with theSaskatchewan Roughriders.[8] However, he did not dress in a game and became a free agent at the end of the season.[4][9]
In November 2018, Schleuger signed with theBirmingham Iron.[10] He was eventually released by the team before the league folded.[11]
Schleuger signed with theMontreal Alouettes on May 19, 2019.[12] He played and started in 13 regular season games in2019 and also started in the East Semi-Final loss to theEdmonton Eskimos that year.[4][12] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the2020 CFL season.
In2021, Schleuger played in three games, starting in two.[12] He signed a contract extension with the Alouettes on February 7, 2022, and played in six games in2022, starting in three.[12][13] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 14, 2023.[14]
On the first day of free agency, on February 14, 2023, Schleuger signed with theBC Lions, to a two-year contract.[15][16] He spent most of the2023 season as a healthy scratch, but started in one game at left tackle in August.[4][17]
Schleuger was born to parents Matt and Kathy Schleuger and has one brother.[3]