Inside The Panthers

New York Giants Sign Pitt DE Habakkuk Baldonado

A two-year starter on the Pitt Panthers' defensive line is headed to New York.

Stephen Thompson

New York Giants Sign Pitt DE Habakkuk Baldonado
New York Giants Sign Pitt DE Habakkuk Baldonado /
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PITTSBURGH -- Habakkuk Baldonado had to watch all seven rounds of the NFL draft without hearing his name called, but it didn't take long for someone to give him a chance. Hours after the draft had ended, the New York Giants signed Baldonado to an undrafted free agent contract, per a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz. 

He didn't begin playing football in the United States until 2017, but he quickly gained interest from FBS schools and eventually committed to Pitt. Baldonado arrived in 2018 and redshirted his first season, then was limited to four games during the 2020 season. 

He burst onto the scene in 2021 by starting all 14 games at defensive end and earning second-team All-ACC consideration. While 2022 was an injury-riddled season for Baldonado, he started all nine games he appeared in and recorded five tackles for loss, two sacks and a blocked kick. 

Baldonado closed his Pitt career with 99 total tackles - 22.5 for loss - 15 sacks and two passes defended in forty career games. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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