Rodrigo Blankenship is a kicker from the University of Georgia and a prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft.

After earning college as a walk-on, Blankenship went on to become one of the most beloved players in program history.

Below you can find more information about Blankenship and what he will be bringing to an NFL team for starting in the 2020 NFL season.

Rodrigo Blankenship wants you to Respect the Specs

Georgia fans first really took notice of Blankenship after he hit a game-winning field goal against Kentucky in 2016. After the win, Blankenship conducted his entire postgame interview with both his helmet and his recreational specs still on.

It was truly a moment to behold. 

As Georgia got better and better, Hot Rod’s celebrity grew, even getting a shoutout from Jimmy Kimmel.

Related: Jimmy Kimmel gives shoutout to Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship

Blankenship would go on to hit bigger field goals in his time at Georgia, including a 55-yard field goal headed into halftime of the Rose Bowl.

Rodrigo Blankenship earned his scholarship after a memorable win

Blankenship was a walk-on during his early time at Georgia it wasn’t until the start of the 2017 season, and some public posturing from his dad, that Blankenship went on scholarship.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart told Blankenship in a private meeting the Thursday before the 2017 Notre Dame game. Blankenship went on to hit two big fields goals on that day to give the Bulldogs a 20-19 win over the Bulldogs.

After the win, Smart had Blankenship make an announcement to the team. It sent everyone into a frenzy.

“The Notre Dame game when we played them away. That was crazy,” Georgia running back D’Andre Swift said. “That’s when Rodrigo got his scholarship and just seeing everyone be so happy for Rod. That’s the brotherhood.”

Related: Homegrown Hot Rod: Why DawgNation loves Rodrigo Blankenship

This only furthered how much the Georgia fan base truly adores its kicker.

Rodrigo Blankenship was college football’s top kicker last year

Blankenship had always been a good kicker for the Bulldogs, as he made 82.7 percent of his career kick. But this past season he earned the highest honor a kicker can get, as he won the Lou Groza Award.

Blankenship made 27 of his 33 attempts this past season while also booting 76 percent of his kickoffs for touchbacks last season.

Related: Rodrigo Blankenship wins Lou Groza Award, named nation’s top kicker

“What Rodrigo has done, and overcome, is just a story for the ages,” Smart said after the Texas A&M game. “To be a walk-on, to not get a scholarship, to continue to work, get a scholarship, and continue to grind, and be as consistent as he has been in some of the toughest conditions this year that could ask a kicker to kick in.”

“He’s just been tremendous. And he’s really become a weapon for us. Thank goodness. He’s really become a weapon for us. He’s done a great job.”

While kickers are rarely drafted, Blankenship has an excellent chance of making an NFL roster after a stellar career at the University of Georgia. Wherever he ends up going, that franchise will quickly have a fan favorite.

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