USA TODAY recently released its list of 20 NFL draftees who could become instant-impact rookies in the 2020 NFL season.
Making the list were two former Georgia football players, D’Andre Swift and Rodrigo Blankenship.
Swift checked in at No. 7 on the list with Blankenship rounding out the list at No. 20.
We touched on Swift here.
Here’s what USA TODAY wrote about Blankenship, who went undrafted in April’s draft but was quickly signed by the Indianapolis Colts.
He won the Groza Award, honoring the nation’s top kicker, while at Georgia last year but didn’t get picked in April. Blankenship connected on 84% of his field goals over the past three seasons and converted all 200 of his extra-point tries in college, though he’ll have to adapt to the NFL’s longer PAT. Still, if Blankenship can beat out Chase McLaughlin, he could become a crucial part of the Colts roster and potentially ensure the door closes on Adam Vinatieri.
Blankenship had a distinguished career at the University of Georgia. He became a fan favorite after hitting a game-winning field goal at Kentucky in 2016. Now, he’ll look to replace an NFL legend in former Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Blankenship landed a $20,000 signing bonus according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Hot Rod will have to compete with Chase McLaughlin to win Indianapolis’s starting job at kicker.
Blankenship is one of the best kickers in Georgia history, and one of the greatest to ever do it in the SEC. He made 82.5% of his kicks and all 200 of his career extra points at Georgia.