Rodrigo Blankenship Bio
Rodrigo John Blankenship, nicknamed “Hot Rod,” is an American professional football placekicker for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). Born on January 29, 1997, in Marietta, Georgia, Blankenship rose to prominence as the placekicker for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he earned the nickname and reputation that have followed him into the professional ranks. He entered the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has since built a career across multiple franchises.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 184 pounds, Blankenship is widely recognized for the thick glasses he wears during games, a look that has become part of his public identity. Over the course of his career, he has suited up for the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and St. Louis Battlehawks, earning individual recognition at both the college and professional levels.
Early Life and Background
Blankenship was born in Marietta, Georgia, to Ken and Izabella Blankenship. He is of Brazilian descent through his maternal grandparents, who still live in Brazil. After spending several years playing youth soccer, Blankenship began kicking footballs at age 10, and the switch to kicking quickly became the focus of his athletic development.
He attended Sprayberry High School in Marietta, where he developed into a top kicking prospect. As a high schooler, Blankenship participated in the 2014–15 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was ranked by 247sports.com as the ninth-best kicker in the country. His father, Ken Blankenship, played football at the University of Florida from 1967 to 1969 and later coached the kickers on every team Rodrigo played for from fifth grade through the end of high school, providing a strong family foundation in the sport.
Path to Professional Football
Blankenship entered the University of Georgia in 2015 as a preferred walk-on and redshirted his first year. As a redshirt freshman, he earned the starting kicker spot and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman team after a 2016 season in which he went 14-for-18 on field goals and 26-for-26 on extra points.
During his redshirt sophomore season in 2017, Blankenship received a full athletic scholarship after informing the team of the news following Georgia’s 20–19 victory over Notre Dame. By the end of his college career, he had converted every extra point he attempted, going 200-for-200, an extraordinary mark of consistency that became one of the defining statistical lines of his time in Athens.
Rodrigo Blankenship Career
College Career at Georgia (2015–2019)
Across five seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, Blankenship developed into one of the most accurate kickers in program history. In the 2018 Rose Bowl, he made a record-long 55-yard field goal that helped swing momentum against Oklahoma in a 54–48 overtime victory. In the subsequent College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama, Blankenship hit a 51-yard field goal in overtime that briefly put the Bulldogs ahead, though Georgia ultimately fell 26–23.
His 2017 season produced 20 made field goals on 23 attempts and a perfect 63-for-63 mark on extra points, with 67 touchbacks that set a school record. In 2018, he went 19-for-23 on field goals and made all 65 of his extra point attempts, earning Second-team All-SEC honors. In December 2019, Blankenship won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top placekicker and was also named First-team All-SEC and a member of the SEC Football Community Service Team. He finished his senior season having led the SEC in field goal attempts and conversions.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2020–2022)
Blankenship signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2020. In his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he made both extra-point attempts and two of three field goal attempts. By Week 11 of his rookie season, he kicked a 39-yard game-winning field goal in overtime against the Green Bay Packers, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished his rookie year 32-for-37 on field goals and 43-for-45 on extra points with a long of 53 yards, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2021, a hip injury limited him to five games, after which he was placed on injured reserve on October 16. He returned to action for the 2022 season opener against the Houston Texans, going 2-for-3 on field goals, but was waived on September 13, 2022.
Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022–2023)
After a tryout with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Blankenship worked out for the Arizona Cardinals following a hip injury to Matt Prater and was signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad in October 2022. Elevated to the active roster for Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, he made two field goals, including a 50-yarder, in a 42–34 win. He was waived with an injury settlement on November 2, 2022.
On June 15, 2023, Blankenship signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was released on August 21, 2023, after losing the kicker competition to Chase McLaughlin.
St. Louis Battlehawks Era (2025–Present)
On January 8, 2025, Blankenship signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL. In Week 6, he made both of his field goal attempts, including a 53-yard kick, and was named the UFL’s Special Teams Player of the Week. On June 2, 2025, he was selected to the 2025 All-UFL Team, capping a strong first spring football season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blankenship has built his reputation on accuracy and consistency from midrange distances, with a college record of never missing an extra point. He has shown the leg strength to connect from beyond 50 yards in high-pressure moments, including his record-setting 55-yard Rose Bowl kick and a 53-yard make in the UFL. His preparation and routine have been central to his longevity across multiple professional stops.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of his career are the 55-yard Rose Bowl field goal, a 51-yard kick in the national championship overtime, the Lou Groza Award in 2019, the PFWA All-Rookie Team selection in 2020, and the 2025 All-UFL Team honor. He was also named the Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year in 2020 for his work in the classroom and community.
Rodrigo Blankenship Career Wins
Blankenship’s career highlights include major kicking milestones in college, the NFL, and the UFL. His most celebrated win came in the 2018 Rose Bowl, where his 55-yard field goal helped Georgia defeat Oklahoma in overtime. He has also produced game-winning kicks at the professional level, including a 39-yard overtime field goal against the Green Bay Packers in his 2020 rookie season.
Rose Bowl and College Highlights
Blankenship made the longest field goal in Rose Bowl history with a 55-yarder in the 2018 edition, a kick that proved decisive in Georgia’s 54–48 overtime victory over Oklahoma. Across his five college seasons, he set the school record for consecutive made extra points and became the program’s all-time leader in several kicking categories, finishing his career with the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker.
NFL and UFL Performances
In the NFL, Blankenship appeared in games for the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording 47 made field goals on 56 attempts, with a long of 53 yards and 195 points scored. In the UFL, he earned 2025 All-UFL Team honors and was named Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 6 after a perfect performance that included a 53-yard field goal.
| Team | Field Goals Made | Field Goal Attempts | Long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts (2020–2022) | 43 | 53 | 53 |
| Arizona Cardinals (2022) | 2 | 2 | 50 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023) | 0 | 0 | — |
| St. Louis Battlehawks (2025) | 2 | 2 | 53 |
Rodrigo Blankenship Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Blankenship is the son of Ken and Izabella Blankenship, with Brazilian roots on his mother’s side of the family. His father Ken played football at the University of Florida from 1967 to 1969 and went on to coach the kickers for every team Rodrigo played on from fifth grade through the end of high school, giving him a direct coaching link throughout his early development.
Personal Life
While at the University of Georgia, Blankenship studied digital and broadcast journalism with a focus on sports journalism. He released a rap song titled “ATD” on April 16, 2018. Off the field, he is an avid collector of rare sneakers and an enthusiast of LEGO building sets, and he owns a cat named Lucas. Blankenship met his wife, Logan Harrell, during their sophomore year at Georgia; the two got engaged in 2021 and married in 2022.
2025 Season Performance
Blankenship’s 2025 campaign with the St. Louis Battlehawks marked a strong return to form in a spring football setting. After joining the team in January, he quickly established himself as a reliable weapon in the kicking game. In Week 6, he converted both of his field goal attempts, including a 53-yard kick, and was named the UFL’s Special Teams Player of the Week.
His consistent accuracy throughout the season helped solidify his role as the team’s primary kicker, and on June 2, 2025, he was selected to the 2025 All-UFL Team in recognition of his work. The honor added to a resume that already included the 2020 PFWA All-Rookie Team and the 2019 Lou Groza Award.
Looking forward, Blankenship signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL on January 14, 2026, setting the stage for the next chapter of his professional career. His track record of clutch kicking in big games suggests he will remain a steady presence at the position as he continues his journey through professional football.
