The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado on Thursday.
Habakkuk Baldonado is six foot five and weighs 260 pounds. The 27-year-old from Rome, Italy, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 10, 2026. In 2026, he made eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks in eight games. The Redblacks released him on September 7, 2026.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders drafted Baldonado in the second round (12th pick) of the 2023 CFL Global Draft. The New York Giants signed Baldonado as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. In 2023, he made five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists), one sack, and one pass breakup in three preseason games.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Baldonado on September 18, 2023. In 2023, he made three tackles and two tackles for loss in four games. In 2024, he made 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two sacks in 14 games. In 2025, he made 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, four sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games, helping the Roughriders win the 112th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes.
Collegiately, Baldonado played five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh (2018-22) with 99 tackles (45 solos, 54 assists), 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick in 40 games for the Panthers.
He was named Second Team All-ACC in 2021, named to the All-ACC Academic Football Team in 2022, and played in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
