Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with former Riders defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado: sources

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The Ottawa Redblacks have agreed to terms with Global defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, per sources. Barring anything unforeseen, he’s expected to sign with the team.

Baldonado’s set to join Canadian linebacker A.J. Allen in the nation’s capital.

The 26-year-old has spent three CFL seasons with the Green and White. He showed his upside in 2025, recording 17 defensive tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble in 18 regular-season games. Through 36 career games, the rising disruptor has notched 31 defensive tackles, four special teams stops, six sacks and one forced fumble.

Baldonado was selected by the Riders in the second round, 12th overall during 2023 CFL Global Draft after five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh (2018-2022). The Rome, Italy native played 40 games for the Panthers, recording 99 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two pass knockdowns, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt.

The six-foot-four, 251-pounder earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honours in 2021 following a nine-sack campaign. He posted 42 combined tackles, 23 solo, forced one fumble and recovered another in his standout junior season with Pittsburgh that year.

Baldonado spent training camp with the New York Giants after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. In three preseason games for the Giants, he tallied four tackles and one sack, but was released among final roster decisions.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.