Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
On January 8, 2025, the United Football League announced that placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship had signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Born on January 29, 1997, in Marietta, Georgia, Rodrigo John Blankenship began his football journey at Sprayberry High School, where he was a two-sport athlete. Choosing football over soccer, he walked on at the University of Georgia in 2015. Initially redshirting his first year, Blankenship’s big break came when he stepped in as the Bulldogs’ kicker.
A record-long 55-yard field goal in the 2018 Rose Bowl highlighted Blankenship’s collegiate career, giving Georgia an overtime victory over Oklahoma. In 2019, he was given the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top college placekicker after leading the SEC in field goal attempts and conversions, never missing a single extra point in his college career (200/200).
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Blankenship signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. His rookie season was promising, as he made both extra-point attempts and two out of three field goals in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers, Blankenship clinched a 34-31 victory with a 39-yard field goal in overtime, earning him the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. His stats for the 2020 season included a conversion rate of 32 out of 37 field goals, with a long of 53 yards. However, subsequent seasons saw fluctuations in his performance, leading to his release from the Colts in 2022.
After his stint with Indianapolis, Blankenship spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Cardinals in 2022, he made both field goals in a game against the New Orleans Saints, but injuries and competition for the kicking position led to his release. His attempt to secure a position with the Buccaneers in 2023 did not pan out in his favor, as he was waived after competing with Chase McLaughlin for the role.
His career statistics feature an 84% field goal rate (47/56) over three NFL seasons.
In January 2025, “Hot Rod” Rodrigo Blankenship signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL.
1 thought on “Placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship signs with the UFL St. Louis Battlehawks.”
Rodrigo Blankenship seems like another one of those good signings the league has been making. I have been stating for months that the amount of talent in this league is outstanding. When you figure in 2022, teams were going to camp with players who had been out of the NFL for 3 or 4 years. They are now signing players that are out 3 or 4 weeks. I am not saying that is in every case, but at this point in the seasonal cycle, I have seen that happen a few times. Instead of the talent level rising from just from the contraction of teams from 16 to 8, there are a couple more NFL drafts that have increased the talent at that level and provided more talent for the UFL to pick from. This has happened to such a level that the IFA is now seemingly a minor league for the UFL. I have already seen two instances where a player had signed a LOI to join the IFA and have since signed UFL LOIs. Whether these players make a team in the UFL is yet to be seen, but the experience for these players will only help them at the IFA level.
Even with all this increased competition I still feel there are players that can play that remain unsigned. There is a list of UFL stars that I have reason to believe will sign contracts with the league. I am not an insider, but have heard rumors in the UFL Press will be back and I have reason to believe they will be back. My favorite current football player Luis Perez, also, Jordan Ta’amu, Breeland Speaks, Marcus Simms, Vinny Papale (He was on the Showboats season ticket add. It would be awful to use his name and photo if they don’t intend to bring him back.), Javonta Payton, Tyler Vaughns & Sal Cannella. There is another group of UFL Stars that I have not heard anything about, but I have not seen reason to believe they are through player based on talent. 1. Darius Victor. I have not heard a thing about him other than him going skydiving. To me, this player is far from done. Hoping he will be with the Showboats under the new regime. If not, maybe he will take up the 4th running back camp slot in Birmingham. Not exactly Demetric Felton, but he has better hands than anyone would give him credit for. Additionally, if De’Veon Smith is not back he could take all the hard carries in Arlington. He is as tough a runner as Smith, with maybe a little more in the quick burst department. Trey Quinn I have not seen a Trey Quinn tail off. However, I had noticed a wide receiver room by committee in Michigan last season. That is ok unless the Panthers don’t intend to sign him. Looking at the Malik Turner signing it seems questionable. IF they don’t intend to, I can see a nice home for him in Houston or Washington where he played in the NFL. I had hoped to see Cam Phillips come back to Houston, but I see he is once again a Hokie signing on as a receivers coach at Virginia Tech. Additional players include Chris Odom who I imagine felt last year was painful, but I really feel they will be a real team this year. I am not sure they will compete for a playoff spot, but they will compete. He could definitely feel he would be part of the change for Houston and will help the rest of the team feel good about itself game in and game out. Other players I would like to see back include Vontae Diggs, DJ Daniel, rumbling Wes Hills, Brock Miller, Darius Sheppard, Elijah Lee (though Mike Rose is sure great to have back.), Vic Beasley, Malik Fisher, DeAndre Baker, Vyncint Smith, Keke Coutee, Wyatt Ray, Anthony McFarland, Alex McGough, Note: If Skip Holtz does not get the QB he wants like Alex McGough, he should really talk to Dakota Prukop. He took Adrian Martinez, who was drafted by Mike Riley. Take another shot with Dakota Prukop. I am sure he will not be disappointed. I think it’s so easy to QB in the CFL with all the open space that what he brings to the table is lost up there as a passer. As a runner it works just fine, but the mix plays better in the US. Skip, if you can’t get McGough, look at Prukop. I know you already have Corral and J’Mar, but you will help yourself and your team.
I really feel the UFL is right for Bailey Zappe. I said this last year. Even though you don’t think of current NFL players as prospects for the UFL, he is exactly one of the purposes of the UFL. He throws a good ball and too many picks. He should take some time away from the NFL to see if he can win a job in the UFL and learn what steps he needs to take to see the defense and not just his receiver. If he corrects this he will be a valued number 2 QB instead of a good 3 or 4, which to me is all the difference. In his current structure he will be out of the league in 2 or 3 years. IF he can learn to curb the interceptions without losing his confidence he can be in the league for 10. The choice is his. Right now he is viewed as a 3 or 4 who coaches can throw out there to try to win the game. Unfortunately who always seems to throw the late pick that stops that from happening. Teams that look for backup quarterbacks that won’t lose the game such as Tim Boyle or Mike Glennon. They don’t really try to win the game either. Zappe has a chance to do this. He should take the chance to improve his game.
Running Backs have the hardest job in football. I know people feel it’s the quarterback. I look up and down lists or prospects and I can truly say that there are more quarterbacks who are capable of success that remain unemployed than running back. Quarterback seems the most difficult one, the one you need to be the smartest, the most obvious when you fail, the most pressure, but what kind of running back would Kurt Warner have been, so you see my point. You may not agree with it, but you see it. Looking at my list of running back prospects they seem rather bare. Running backs have to run the ball into a pile of about 2 thousand pounds. They have to cut. They have to juke. They literally and figuratively cannot drop the ball. They have to pick up 300 pound linemen, 240 pound linebackers with a head of steam and the fast defensive backs on blitzes when it’s not known where they are coming from. It’s so tough that when I was younger each team had 5 just on their team with another one sitting on a practice squad somewhere. Now most teams carry 3 with another on their practice squad. All that and there is a shortage of good ones. IF you are a good one, don’t give up. Keep yourself in shape and keep trying for as much work as it is, if you dream to be a football player, there is no position that is loved by true football fans as much. The beauty, the brains, the guts. It’s why football is loved. My favorite football player is Curtis Martin. If you try to be like him you will bring your best. It’s why Giants fans remember then 3rd string running back OJ Anderson reliving his glory days in the Super Bowl. It’s why their hearts were broken when they paid Daniel Jones and not Saquon Barkley and it’s why after a great block or a reception out of the backfield you would consistently hear Cowboys fans chant “Moose”. If you are all those things and a great human being, Stay ready!!!
Lastly, growing up I always favored catching the ball. As a 55 year old I still have great hands. As a youth I watched Largent, Rice, Chrebet, Dan Ross and Jason Witten to name a few and said wow that is what I want to do. I am so happy Jace Sternberger is back continuing his dream of playing football. Hoping you are financially set for the day you do want to retire, but I am glad you are back. You are the true Tight End. There are only a couple in the UFL. Hoping you gained financial stability in the NFL, but are now living out your dreams in the UFL. Welcome back! You will be missed when you hang them up, just not by the Brahmas defense. Good luck for a good season!
Rodrigo Blankenship seems like another one of those good signings the league has been making. I have been stating for months that the amount of talent in this league is outstanding. When you figure in 2022, teams were going to camp with players who had been out of the NFL for 3 or 4 years. They are now signing players that are out 3 or 4 weeks. I am not saying that is in every case, but at this point in the seasonal cycle, I have seen that happen a few times. Instead of the talent level rising from just from the contraction of teams from 16 to 8, there are a couple more NFL drafts that have increased the talent at that level and provided more talent for the UFL to pick from. This has happened to such a level that the IFA is now seemingly a minor league for the UFL. I have already seen two instances where a player had signed a LOI to join the IFA and have since signed UFL LOIs. Whether these players make a team in the UFL is yet to be seen, but the experience for these players will only help them at the IFA level.
Even with all this increased competition I still feel there are players that can play that remain unsigned. There is a list of UFL stars that I have reason to believe will sign contracts with the league. I am not an insider, but have heard rumors in the UFL Press will be back and I have reason to believe they will be back. My favorite current football player Luis Perez, also, Jordan Ta’amu, Breeland Speaks, Marcus Simms, Vinny Papale (He was on the Showboats season ticket add. It would be awful to use his name and photo if they don’t intend to bring him back.), Javonta Payton, Tyler Vaughns & Sal Cannella. There is another group of UFL Stars that I have not heard anything about, but I have not seen reason to believe they are through player based on talent. 1. Darius Victor. I have not heard a thing about him other than him going skydiving. To me, this player is far from done. Hoping he will be with the Showboats under the new regime. If not, maybe he will take up the 4th running back camp slot in Birmingham. Not exactly Demetric Felton, but he has better hands than anyone would give him credit for. Additionally, if De’Veon Smith is not back he could take all the hard carries in Arlington. He is as tough a runner as Smith, with maybe a little more in the quick burst department. Trey Quinn I have not seen a Trey Quinn tail off. However, I had noticed a wide receiver room by committee in Michigan last season. That is ok unless the Panthers don’t intend to sign him. Looking at the Malik Turner signing it seems questionable. IF they don’t intend to, I can see a nice home for him in Houston or Washington where he played in the NFL. I had hoped to see Cam Phillips come back to Houston, but I see he is once again a Hokie signing on as a receivers coach at Virginia Tech. Additional players include Chris Odom who I imagine felt last year was painful, but I really feel they will be a real team this year. I am not sure they will compete for a playoff spot, but they will compete. He could definitely feel he would be part of the change for Houston and will help the rest of the team feel good about itself game in and game out. Other players I would like to see back include Vontae Diggs, DJ Daniel, rumbling Wes Hills, Brock Miller, Darius Sheppard, Elijah Lee (though Mike Rose is sure great to have back.), Vic Beasley, Malik Fisher, DeAndre Baker, Vyncint Smith, Keke Coutee, Wyatt Ray, Anthony McFarland, Alex McGough, Note: If Skip Holtz does not get the QB he wants like Alex McGough, he should really talk to Dakota Prukop. He took Adrian Martinez, who was drafted by Mike Riley. Take another shot with Dakota Prukop. I am sure he will not be disappointed. I think it’s so easy to QB in the CFL with all the open space that what he brings to the table is lost up there as a passer. As a runner it works just fine, but the mix plays better in the US. Skip, if you can’t get McGough, look at Prukop. I know you already have Corral and J’Mar, but you will help yourself and your team.
I really feel the UFL is right for Bailey Zappe. I said this last year. Even though you don’t think of current NFL players as prospects for the UFL, he is exactly one of the purposes of the UFL. He throws a good ball and too many picks. He should take some time away from the NFL to see if he can win a job in the UFL and learn what steps he needs to take to see the defense and not just his receiver. If he corrects this he will be a valued number 2 QB instead of a good 3 or 4, which to me is all the difference. In his current structure he will be out of the league in 2 or 3 years. IF he can learn to curb the interceptions without losing his confidence he can be in the league for 10. The choice is his. Right now he is viewed as a 3 or 4 who coaches can throw out there to try to win the game. Unfortunately who always seems to throw the late pick that stops that from happening. Teams that look for backup quarterbacks that won’t lose the game such as Tim Boyle or Mike Glennon. They don’t really try to win the game either. Zappe has a chance to do this. He should take the chance to improve his game.
Running Backs have the hardest job in football. I know people feel it’s the quarterback. I look up and down lists or prospects and I can truly say that there are more quarterbacks who are capable of success that remain unemployed than running back. Quarterback seems the most difficult one, the one you need to be the smartest, the most obvious when you fail, the most pressure, but what kind of running back would Kurt Warner have been, so you see my point. You may not agree with it, but you see it. Looking at my list of running back prospects they seem rather bare. Running backs have to run the ball into a pile of about 2 thousand pounds. They have to cut. They have to juke. They literally and figuratively cannot drop the ball. They have to pick up 300 pound linemen, 240 pound linebackers with a head of steam and the fast defensive backs on blitzes when it’s not known where they are coming from. It’s so tough that when I was younger each team had 5 just on their team with another one sitting on a practice squad somewhere. Now most teams carry 3 with another on their practice squad. All that and there is a shortage of good ones. IF you are a good one, don’t give up. Keep yourself in shape and keep trying for as much work as it is, if you dream to be a football player, there is no position that is loved by true football fans as much. The beauty, the brains, the guts. It’s why football is loved. My favorite football player is Curtis Martin. If you try to be like him you will bring your best. It’s why Giants fans remember then 3rd string running back OJ Anderson reliving his glory days in the Super Bowl. It’s why their hearts were broken when they paid Daniel Jones and not Saquon Barkley and it’s why after a great block or a reception out of the backfield you would consistently hear Cowboys fans chant “Moose”. If you are all those things and a great human being, Stay ready!!!
Lastly, growing up I always favored catching the ball. As a 55 year old I still have great hands. As a youth I watched Largent, Rice, Chrebet, Dan Ross and Jason Witten to name a few and said wow that is what I want to do. I am so happy Jace Sternberger is back continuing his dream of playing football. Hoping you are financially set for the day you do want to retire, but I am glad you are back. You are the true Tight End. There are only a couple in the UFL. Hoping you gained financial stability in the NFL, but are now living out your dreams in the UFL. Welcome back! You will be missed when you hang them up, just not by the Brahmas defense. Good luck for a good season!