Saskatchewan Roughriders sign Italian DL Habakkuk Baldonado

| American Football | 09/20/2023

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced the signing of Italian/Global defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado.

The 6’5″, 260-pound Baldonado, who had spent five years playing for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. The Italian defensive lineman suited up for three preseason games for the Giants tallying four tackles, a sack and a pass defended. Baldonado was the second-round selection of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2023 CFL Global Draft.

Baldonado was one of the few international prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft who also attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Italian stacked up well against other prospects clocking a 4.78 40-yard dash as well as a 35” vertical, 10” broad jump and 21 reps on the bench. Despite Baldonado’s showing at the 2023 NFL Combine with many expecting him to go on Day 3, he slipped out of the draft.

The 24-year-old spent five collegiate seasons (2018-2022) at Pittsburgh seeing action in 40 games. He recorded 99 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two pass knockdowns, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one punt block.  In the 2021 season, Baldonado led the Panthers with nine sacks and earned Second-Team All-ACC Honours.

Before joining the Panthers, Baldonado first played football with the Lazio Marines in his hometown of Rome. In 2017, Baldonado made his way to Florida’s high school football scene, joining Clearwater Academy International as an exchange student. In his lone season of high school football, Baldonado put up a staggering 30 sacks in only seven games. Baldonado’s size and skills earned him scholarship offers from blue-chip programs like Michigan State, Nebraska, Syracuse, and his eventual home Pittsburgh.

Saskatchewan is back in action on Friday, September 22, when they travel to Ottawa to face the REDBLACKS in Week 16.

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