2025: Blue Bombers

The Blue Bombers signed Schmekel to a one-year contract extension on January 5, 2026 and he returns for his fourth year with the club after a 2025 campaign that was cut short due to injury and limited to just four games.

Schmekel was having arguably his best start to his young pro career last year before the injury with a pair of tackles and a sack in those four contests, with his season ending in Saskatchewan in the annual Labour Day Classic.

He has now suited up for 26 regular-season games for the club since he was selected in the fourth round, 35^thoverall, in the 2023 CFL Draft.

2024: Blue Bombers

Schmekel built on his rookie campaign with a solid season in 2024, as he appeared in 17 regular-season games plus the Western Final and 111th Grey Cup. He finished the year with six defensive tackles as part of a rotation at the defensive tackle position.

2023: Blue Bombers

The Blue Bombers selected Schmekel in the 4th round, 35th overall, in the 2023 CFL Draft and he spent the entire year with the club, dressing for five games and spending the rest of his time on the practice roster. He made his CFL debut in the club’s season-opening win over Hamilton.

College:

Schmekel was a 2022 U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star. The defensive lineman started all eight games at defensive tackle in 2022, registering six tackles for loss including a pair of sacks during conference play. The three-time University of Regina Defensive Lineman of the Year finished the season with a total of 14 tackles (11 solo, 6 assisted) and a pass breakup.
Schmekel redshirted with the Rams in 2017 before starting all eight games in 2018 and leading the team’s linemen in tackles, finishing with 16½ and adding 1½ tackles for loss. He then played for the Regina Thunder (CJFL) in 2019 before returning to the Rams in 2021.