Former Georgia and Indianapolis kicker Rodrigo Blankenship recently participated in a UFL tryout event. Approximately 30-35 kickers participated. They divided into three groups of 10 and further split into two heats of five for competition. The tryout began with the kickoff portion, where kickers adjusted to the UFL’s unique rule of kicking off from the 20-yard line instead of the NFL’s 35-yard line.

Blankenship kicked against the wind during his first attempt, reaching the 15-yard line. His second and third kicks landed at the 7-yard and 6-yard lines, respectively.

The field goal portion followed, where he impressed after making all six of his intermediate kicks from 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46 yards. The group then moved to long-distance attempts, where he converted a 53-yarder from the left hash and a 56-yarder from the right hash.

Reflecting on his performance, the kicker said:

“I’m happy with the distance on two of my kickoffs. I’m glad I hit all of my field goals because accuracy is what everyone focuses on.”

As the UFL season doesn’t start until March, he remains hopeful for an opportunity with an NFL team as the regular season enters its final weeks.

Blankenship will always be a fan favorite for Georgia Bulldog fans.

Georgia hosted a transfer quarterback late last week when Charlotte’s Deshawn Purdie came to town and it will host another this week. On3’s Pete Nakos says that Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan plans to be in town. The news was first reported by Max Olson of The Athletic.

Lonergan, who played his high school about 45 miles away from the UGA campus at Brookwood, signed with the Crimson Tide in the 2023 class. He is in the transfer portal with three years to play three after appearing in three games over the past two seasons. Lonergan has completed seven of eight pass attempts for 35 yards in his career.

Georgia is clearly taking a long look at the quarterback position in the transfer portal, even with it’s likely starter potentially set to take over right now. Gunner Stockton is the odds-on favorite to win the job after three years in the system, but his time is likely now with Carson Beck‘s future in doubt due to an injury ulnar collateral ligament in the SEC Championship win over Texas.

The Bulldogs have Jaden Rashada and Ryan Puglisi in that room but it is unclear whether either will be in position to offer Stockton any competition this spring. Georgia also signed two quarterbacks in the 2025 class — Ryan Montgomery and Hezekiah Millender.

Dylan Lonergan’s On3 Scouting Report (2023)

“Talented passer who doubles as a standout on the gridiron and the baseball diamond. Highly touted baseball prospect who holds multiple Power 5 baseball offers, with the possibility of being a MLB Draft pick. Shows touch and accuracy as a passer at all levels of the field. Lonergan layers the football well, but can turn up the heat if needed on tight window throws. Productive while facing strong competition. Threw for nearly 3,400 yards and 32 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions as a junior.

“Mobile and creative with his legs. Ran for over 600 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior. Has a stocky build, measuring between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-2 and around 220 pounds. Lonergan’s mechanics can falter when the pocket collapses. Arm talent combined with his accuracy makes him one of the safer quarterback prospects in the country despite being on the older end for his class. Father was a quarterback at Penn State in the early 1980’s and won a national championship with them in 1982.”

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore safety Jake Pope has announced plans to transfer and has officially submitted the paperwork to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Pope will have two years of eligibility remaining after spending just one season with the Bulldogs.

A Buford High School standout, Pope began his college career at Alabama, where he redshirted in 2022. In 2023, he contributed as a reserve and special teams player before entering the transfer portal at the end of the season. Georgia and North Carolina emerged as his top choices, and he ultimately chose to play closer to home in Athens.

Pope briefly celebrated with one of his former high school teammates after Ole Miss’ upset win over Georgia. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart called Pope “an idiot” for the incident, but later apologized.

Pope becomes the fourth Georgia defender in two days to enter the portal, joining safety Justyn Rhett, redshirt freshman linebacker Troy Bowles, and redshirt freshman edge rusher Samuel M’Pemba. In total, seven Bulldogs have now entered the portal or announced intentions to transfer since it opened.