The journey continues for Habakkuk Baldonado.
The Pitt defensive lineman declared for the NFL draft on Monday, looking to continue a career that began in Italy before playing a year of high school football in Florida, continued for five seasons with the Panthers and could lead to playing on Sundays.
“I ain’t done yet,” he posted on Twitter. “Time for the big leagues. Hail to Pitt!!”
I ain’t done yet. Time for the big leagues. Hail to Pitt !! ????????❤️ pic.twitter.com/jvmQOvzy2j
— Habakkuk Baldonado (@abba1999) January 9, 2023
Despite missing three games because of injury, Baldonado (6-5, 260) had 24 tackles this season, including nine solo and two sacks in helping Pitt to a 9-4 record. That followed a 2021 season where he had 41 tackles and nine sacks.
He accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 2 in Las Vegas.
He played just three years of American football in his native Italy before spending one year of high school at Clearwater Academy International, where he played defensive end and receiver, totaling 83 tackles and 30.5 sacks with nine forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Once at Pitt, he redshirted in 2018, and then made 30 tackles in 13 games as a reserve defensive end in 2019. Injury limited him to four games and just three tackles in 2020 before his breakout season as a starter in 2021 when he was a second-team All-ACC selection.
Fellow Pitt defensive end Deslin Alexandre and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey also have declared for the NFL draft. Defensive end John Morgan announced he is transferring to Arkansas.
