Rodrigo Blankenship, a name well-known to Georgia Bulldogs fans, is putting together a flawless season in the United Football League (UFL) with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Through seven games, Blankenship has been perfect, connecting on all 16 field goal attempts. His accuracy has been particularly impressive from long range, hitting seven kicks between 40 and 49 yards and five-for-five on attempts from beyond 50 yards, including a booming 56-yarder.
Blankenship’s current run of perfection reignites interest in a player whose professional journey has seen its share of ups and downs. After a celebrated college career where he won the Lou Groza Award and never missed an extra point, “Hot Rod” entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts. He enjoyed a solid rookie campaign but was later derailed by injuries and inconsistencies, leading to short stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now revitalized in the UFL, Blankenship is proving he still has what it takes to be a top-tier kicker. His precision and leg strength have been critical for a Battlehawks squad battling for playoff positioning in the XFL Conference. In a recent victory over the Memphis Showboats, Blankenship drilled field goals from 44 and 53 yards, continuing his streak of perfection and playing a key role in the team’s 19-9 win.
With NFL teams constantly seeking reliable special teams contributors, Blankenship’s outstanding performance will surely attract attention. His newfound consistency on long-range kicks, once considered a limitation, has showcased his growth and resilience as a professional. Given the constant turnover at the kicker position across the league, it would not be surprising to see Blankenship get another shot in the NFL before the 2025 season starts.
In a league where specialists can be the difference in close games, Blankenship’s perfect showing in the UFL is a loud reminder that he’s far from done.