Former Georgia Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting job at kicker for the Indianapolis Colts. Blankenship is slated to make his NFL debut Sept. 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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 instantly became a fan favorite after hitting a game-winning field goal at Kentucky in 2016. Now, he’ll look to replace an NFL legend, former Colts and Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Blankenship landed a $20,000 signing bonus according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Hot Rod beat out incumbent kicker Chase McLaughlin to win Indianapolis’s starting job.
Blankenship may still have some pressure if McLaughlin makes the Colts’ practice squad. Still, NFL kickers have pressure on every kick, even extra points, since they are longer nowadays.
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, including a bizarre make against Tennessee.
The #Colts are waiving kicker Chase McLaughlin, source said. He’d been competing in camp with rookie Rodrigo Blankenship.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 5, 2020