Rodrigo Blankenship a Finalist for Burlsworth Trophy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  – The three finalists for the 10th annual Burlsworth Trophy have been selected and include University of California Running Safety/Kick Returner Ashtyn Davis, University of Georgia Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, and Michigan State Defensive End Kenny Willekes. A record 83 universities from across the nation nominated a player for the 2019 award. Last week the list was narrowed to 10 semi-finalists.

The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college football player in America who began his career as a walk on.

Rodrigo Blankenship ranks No. 14 nationally and second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 92 points and has hit 100 percent of his extra-point kicks this year for the fourth-ranked Bulldogs (9-1). He has made 19 of 23 field goals attempts this season with a long of 50 yards. Blankenship, who started his career as a preferred walk-on, is the NCAA active career leader in field goals with 72. Blankenship, 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds, has hit six field goals of at least 50 yards in his career and as a sophomore in 2017. That season Blankenship secured a scholarship spot on the team and hit field goals of at least 50 yards in the Rose Bowl and National Championship Game. Blankenship holds the record for longest field goal in Rose Bowl history at 55 yards. He is a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top placekicker.