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Former Georgia K Rodrigo Blankenship makes NFL case with perfect start to USFL season
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Former Georgia star Rodrigo Blankenship became a fan favorite during his career with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. However, he has not kicked in the NFL since the 2022 season, and he’s trying to change that with a wild start to the USFL season.
Now a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks, the kicker known as “Hot Rod” is off to a perfect start to the USFL season, converting all 16 of his field goal attempts so far. Blankenship’s long for the season is 56 yards with 5 of his tries coming from 50+ yards so far.
It’s nothing new for Georgia fans after Blankenship converted 82.5% of his field goals (80-for-97) across 4 seasons with the Bulldogs. He also converted all 200 of his extra-point tries in Athens, and he is 2nd on the program’s all-time list for made field goals. Blankeship’s 82.5% conversion rate is also 2nd all-time among UGA kickers with multiple field goal attempts.
The kicker did get a try in the NFL, spending time with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals. He was effective across parts of 3 seasons and converted 83.9% of his kicks in the league.
From long range, Blankenship was just 2-for-5 on his NFL tries of kicks from 50+ yards, so his long-range start to the USFL season is significant. If that was the main area holding him back from more NFL opportunities, it could be a great sign for his chances of making a roster for the 2025 season.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
