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). He was born on January 29, 1997, in Marietta, Georgia, and played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. Known for his distinctive thick glasses, Blankenship gained fame for kicking the longest field goal in Rose Bowl history. His journey in sports began when he started kicking footballs at 10 years old after several years of playing soccer, and he quickly became recognized for his talent in high school and college.
Early Life and Background
Rodrigo Blankenship was born to Ken and Izabella Blankenship in Marietta, Georgia. He is of Brazilian descent through his maternal grandparents, who still reside in Brazil. Blankenship’s athletic career began at a young age; after several years of playing soccer, he transitioned to football at the age of 10. He attended Sprayberry High School, where he showcased his kicking skills and participated in the 2014–15 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Blankenship was recognized as one of the top kickers in the country during his high school years.
Path to American Football
After high school, Blankenship joined the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on in 2015. He redshirted his first year but quickly earned the starting kicker position as a redshirt freshman. His college career was marked by impressive performances, including a record-setting 55-yard field goal in the 2018 Rose Bowl. Throughout his time at Georgia, he consistently demonstrated his kicking prowess, leading to numerous accolades and recognition as one of the top kickers in college football.
Rodrigo Blankenship Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Rodrigo Blankenship signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2020. In his NFL debut, he made both extra-point attempts and two of three field goal attempts in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. His standout moment came in Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers, where he kicked a game-winning 39-yard field goal in overtime, earning him the American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week award. By the end of the 2020 season, Blankenship had converted 43 out of 45 extra point attempts and made 32 out of 37 field goals, with a long of 53 yards, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Breakthrough (2022–Present)
After his time with the Colts, Blankenship had a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals, where he was signed to the practice squad and later elevated to the main roster. He made a notable impact during his time with the Cardinals, including a game where he made two field goals and two out of three extra points in a victory against the New Orleans Saints. However, he was waived later that season. In 2023, Blankenship signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was released after losing the kicker competition. He then signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks in January 2025, where he has continued to showcase his skills.
Notable Works and Milestones
Blankenship’s signature work includes his record-setting performance in the Rose Bowl and his successful rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts. He has been recognized for his achievements with several awards, including the Lou Groza Award and selections to the All-SEC teams.
Rodrigo Blankenship Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Rodrigo Blankenship has received several nominations and accolades, including being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020 and the All-UFL Team in 2025.
Rodrigo Blankenship Awards Won
Blankenship has won notable awards such as the Lou Groza Award in 2019, recognizing him as the nation’s top placekicker, and multiple All-SEC honors during his college career.
Rodrigo Blankenship Family
Rodrigo Blankenship is married to Logan Harrell, whom he met during their sophomore year at the University of Georgia. They got engaged in 2021 and married in 2022. Blankenship’s father, Ken Blankenship, played football at the University of Florida and coached him throughout his youth.
Personal Life
In addition to his football career, Blankenship has a passion for digital and broadcast journalism, focusing on sports journalism during his time at Georgia. He is also known for his love of LEGO products and has a notable sneaker collection. Blankenship is a pet owner and has a cat named Lucas. He has expressed admiration for sports legends Eric Dickerson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and he embraces his unique style of wearing glasses while playing football.
