Red Deer’s Aldin Bilalbegovic makes NCAA Division I football debut
Published 12:53 pm Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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Stepping onto the field in his first-ever NCAA Division I football game was a dream come true for Red Deer’s Aldin Bilalbegovic.
The six-foot-four, 225-pound 19-year-old made his college debut with the University of New Mexico Lobos in a 70-7 victory over the Mercyhurst Lakers on Sept. 12.
“To finally line up against another jersey and go full speed was just amazing. To be able to showcase what I can go in a game was awesome,” said Bilalbegovic, who is believed to be the first Red Deerian to play NCAA Division I football.
“Hearing that I’m the first Division I player out of Red Deer and one of the few out of Alberta means a lot to me. I’m grateful to everyone back (in Red Deer and Alberta) who took a chance on me.”
Bilalbegovic was always into sports growing up, but it took him a while to discover football.
“My father came to Canada with nothing. He lost everything through the Bosnian War in the 1990s. He loved soccer and basketball, so those two sports were always my thing,” said Bilalbegovic.
In Grade 9, Bilalbegovic began attending Hunting Hills High School, which is where he fell in love with the game of football. He praised his Hunting Hills coaches Josh Sorensen and Kyle Sedgwick for helping him develop as a player.
“When I was at Hunting Hills, I was fortunate enough to pick up multiple offers from U-Sports programs. But I knew I had more in the tank,” said Bilalbegovic.
After playing football at Hunting Hills in Grades 10 and 11, Bilalbegovic transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, to give himself a better chance to get scouted by U.S. colleges.
“I knew deep inside that this sport is something I can go far with,” said Bilalbegovic.
“I was never a kid who wanted to go out to parties or stay up all night playing video games. Since I began playing sports, my whole life has been about dedication.”
After speaking with a few different schools, Bilalbegovic decided joined the Lobos. Bilalbegovic was red-shirted for his freshman season last year.
“I knew this wasn’t going to be a cake walk. If I celebrated just getting here, I wouldn’t be able to get anything done,” he said.
“I was able to make some very big strides through my first year. I was only a receiver in high school, but here they’ve used me as a tight end and a receiver. Putting on weight has been a bit difficult — my body’s still getting used to that.”
Bilalbegovic said he’s got his eyes set on continuing his development as a football player.
“I love to climb the ladder. Every single day I was to take a step. I want to be one per cent better every day,” he said.
“My ultimate goal is to play professionally, whether that’s the (Canadian Football League) or the (National Football League). I know I’m capable.”
Bilalbegovic said he wouldn’t be where he is today without support from his mother and father, as well as the rest of his family.
“I’m able to represent two countries at once. I’m a citizen of Canada as well as Bosnia. Having all my family in Canada and Bosnia watching me means the world to me. I’m blessed to have the power of two different countries supporting me,” he said.