The Battlehawks found themselves in a bit of flux at the Kicker position these last couple weeks. After seeing 2024 Kicker Andre Szmyt earn an NFL practice squad opportunity with the Browns, followed up with him opting to stay with Cleveland on a futures deal Head Coach Anthony Becht, and GM Dave Boller had to look elsewhere for a Kicker. On Wednesday, the UFL PR “X” page announced St. Louis signed Rodrigo Blankenship, a Lou Groza Award winner from the University of Georgia for the 2025 season.
Blankenship is a known figure in football not only for his trademark glasses, but also his known social media presence, along with his kicking ability. The former Georgia Bulldog put together an All-SEC career during college going 200/200 on extra points, and 80/97 on field goals. His collegiate success led to him earning an NFL opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 becoming their starting Kicker for the 2020 season.
Blankenship would go 32/37 on field goals in 2020, along with 43/45 on extra points in his rookie year earning All-Rookie Team Honors in 2020. After an injury in 2021, and an ineffective start in 2022, Blankenship found himself in Kicker purgatory with short stints with the Cardinals, and Buccaneers during the last part of his career in the NFL. After working out in the UFL specialist combine, Blankenship showed his ability to fight his way back into professional football.
The Battlehawks now go into 2025 with their 4th Kicker in as many seasons. Blankenship, now 27 could be entering his prime as a specialist and could easily find his way back in the NFL following in the footsteps of Younghoe Koo, Brandon Aubrey, and Jake Bates all who have transitioned from Spring Football to successful NFL careers. With the Battlehawks set to take on the Houston Roughnecks in less than 80 days, Blankenship will be given the opportunity to showcase his skills and become the next Battlehawk who makes an impact in the NFL.
@rodthekicker3 🚨I’M HEADING TO THE UFL!🚨 I’m signing with the @St. Louis Battlehawks of the @United Football League for a chance to kick for them this season! I’m so thankful for this opportunity and I’m so thankful to everybody on here who’s been supporting me throughout the season! Get ready to cheer for the Battlehawks this year! #Football #UFL #NFL #Sports #Kicker #Kicking #Kick #Kicks #Kickers #FieldGoal #Update #FYP #FY #ForYouPage #ForYou #fypage #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #Viral ♬ original sound – Rodrigo Blankenship
