Former UGA star K Rodrigo Blankenship beats out Florida alum for Colts kicking job

Rodrigo will return as the Indianapolis Colts’ starting kicker.

For Georgia fans, any win over the Florida Gators is worth celebrating , even though the Bulldogs are use to being in the win column, going 3-1 over Florida in the last four years.

Former Georgia star kicker Rodrigo ‘Hot-rod’ Blankenship just got one of those wins, beating out former Florida Gator Eddy Piñeiro to win the Indianapolis Colts’ kicking duties, per NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Blankenship was the favorite to do so after a fantastic rookie season where he finished fifth in the NFL in field goals made (32) with an 86.5% field goal percentage and this wild game-winner versus the Packers.

Not bad for an undrafted free agent.

Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs place kicker Rodrigo Blankenship (98) celebrates with offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (69) after a field goal against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia fans remember the Marietta, Ga., native most for his stylish goggles and some big time kicks. There is probably none bigger than this kick versus Oklahoma in the 2018 Rose Bowl, which set the historic bowl’s record for the longest field goal ever at 55-yards.

You can catch Rodrigo and the Colts in their final preseason game versus the Lions on Friday at 7:00 p.m.