CFL: BC Lions add German fullback John Levi Kruse

| American Football | 03/07/2023

The BC Lions of the Canadian Football League have signed Global fullback John Levi-Kruse.

The European League of Football standout now looks to be a impact player in Canada’s professional ranks.

The German talent was selected by the Lions in round three (21st overall) of the 2022 Global Draft but chose to stay in Germany and compete another season with the Hamburg Sea Devils of the European League of Football. The 26-year-old showed off his physicality at the 2022 CFL Global Combine looking good in blocking drills while displaying soft hands. Better yet, the 6’2 245-lb athlete could pick up long snapping duties for the Lions as he’s held that duty for many seasons in Europe.

Levi-Kruse has spent the past two seasons as the tight end, fullback, and long snapper for the Hamburg Sea Devils, reaching the championship game in consecutive seasons. Despite his athletic ability Levi-Kruse was used inconsistently in the Hamburg offense totaling 340 yards and seven scores in two seasons. However, his size, versatility, and tenacious blocking did catch the eyes of scouts as he was invited the NFL International Combine in 2021 and in 2022.

Prior to Hamburg, Levi-Kruse suited up for the Elmshorn Fighting Pirates of German Football League 2 in 2019 and was a member of the German National Team in 2017.

The versatile fullback joins standout global defensive lineman Tibo Debaille and French linebacker Maxime Rouyer as the third Global player on the BC Lions preseason roster.

Read more about Levi-Kruse’s CFL Global Combine here

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and