Habakkuk Thomas Baldonado (born September 6, 1999) is an Italian professional Canadian football defensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh.
Early life Baldonado was born in Italy and moved to Florida in the United States in 2017. He attended Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Florida for one year. During that one season, he had 83 tackles and 30.5 sacks. Baldonado committed to the University of Pittsburgh to play college football.
College career Baldonado played in one game his freshman year at Pittsburgh in 2018 and took a redshirt. In 2019, he had 30 tackles and four sacks. In 2020, he played in only four games due to injury and recorded three tackles. As a 14-game starter in 2021, Baldonado had 41 tackles and nine sacks.
Professional career
New York Giants Baldonado went undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft but signed a free agent contract with the New York Giants on April 29, 2023. On May 2, Baldonado was drafted in the second round (12th overall) in the 2023 CFL global draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Baldonado was waived by the Giants on August 29.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (first stint) Baldonado was signed to the practice squad of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on September 18, 2023, and was promoted to the active roster on September 28. On June 1, 2024, he was moved back to the practice roster for the start of the 2024 CFL season. Baldonado was promoted to the active roster for the second time on July 3. He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 10, 2026.
Ottawa Redblacks On February 10, 2026, it was announced that Baldonado had signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. He played in eight regular season games where he recorded eight defensive tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. Baldonado was released on September 7.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (first stint) On September 10, 2026, it was announced that Baldonado had signed again with the Roughriders.
References
External links
Saskatchewan Roughriders bio Pittsburgh Panthers bio