The Saskatchewan Roughriders are bringing back a familiar face to bolster their defensive line for the stretch run. The Riders have re-signed Global defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, who spent the previous three seasons with Saskatchewan before signing with the Ottawa REDBLACKS as a free agent in February.
The move comes after Ottawa released the 27-year-old on Monday. Baldonado appeared in eight games with the REDBLACKS this season, recording eight defensive tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Baldonado originally joined Saskatchewan after being selected by the Riders in the second round, 12th overall, in the 2023 CFL Global Draft. He quickly established himself as a disruptive presence along the defensive front.
Over his three seasons with Saskatchewan, Baldonado played 36 games and recorded 38 defensive tackles, five tackles for loss, eight sacks, a forced fumble and a pass knockdown.
His best season came in 2025 when he recorded a career-high four sacks during the regular season. Baldonado then played a significant role in Saskatchewan's run to the Grey Cup. He recorded a sack in the Riders' 24-21 Western Final victory over the B.C. Lions before turning in an impressive performance in the 112th Grey Cup against the Montreal Alouettes. Baldonado registered six quarterback pressures in Saskatchewan's 25-17 Grey Cup victory, with two of those pressures contributing to interceptions by the Riders. He finished the championship game with two tackles.
Baldonado left Saskatchewan in the off-season to join Ottawa, where his contract, according to 3Down Nation, made him the highest-paid Global player in CFL history.
Now, he's back in Green and White.
The native of Rome, Italy, spent five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh from 2018 to 2022, playing 40 games and finishing his collegiate career with 99 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. In 2021, Baldonado led the Panthers with nine sacks and earned Second-Team All-ACC honours.
He also signed with the NFL's New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2023, recording four defensive tackles and a sack in three preseason games before eventually joining the Roughriders.
Baldonado's return gives Saskatchewan another global player on their roster and a proven pass-rushing option.
