Former Georgia Bulldog kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is off to a historic start for the Indianapolis Colts. Blankenship signed an undrafted free agent deal with Indianapolis following the 2020 NFL Draft.
Blankenship won the Lou Groza award at UGA last season.
‘Hot Rod’ has made 12 of 14 fields goals (85.7%) to start the 2020 NFL season. 12 made field goals through four games as a rookie is topped by only three other kickers in NFL history. Additionally, Blankenship is 9 for 9 on extra point attempts. Note that the NFL has a much longer extra point than college.
Overall, the former Georgia kicker has scored 45 total points through his first four games. This is another historic figure. Three players (Harrison Butker, Jeff Reed, and Richie Cunningham) have scored over 45 points as a kicker to start their careers.
Hopefully Blankenship is able to continue his historic start. The Colts will look to move to 4-1 this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Look for Hot Rod to be challenged even more throughout the season. Thus far, Blankenship has a long of 44 yards and hasn’t attempted a kick over 50 yards. That will change. Indianapolis has been a defensive-minded team to begin the season and Blankenship’s points have been key for them having a 3-1 record and one of the AFC’s better records.
Stats are per an Andrew Walker Tweet:
#Colts’ Rodrigo Blankenship off to one of the best starts by a kicker in league history.
His 12 made field goals & 45 points scored are tied for the fourth-most by a rookie in their first four games in NFL history, per @pfref. pic.twitter.com/Ote2aSxP0k
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) October 6, 2020