The New York Jets’ search for a starting kicker ahead of the 2025 season remains in progress.
According to UFL insider James Larsen, the Jets hosted two UFL kickers for workouts, Rodrigo Blankenship and Harrison Mevis.
Blankenship first signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia in 2020, quickly proving himself as a starting-caliber NFL kicker.
Nicknamed “Hot Rod,” Blankenship became a fan favorite during his three seasons in Indianapolis, appearing in 22 games while converting 94.5% of his extra-point attempts and 83.3% of his field goals, including a long of 53 yards.
After being released by the Colts, Blankenship never found a long-term role in the NFL. He appeared in two games for the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, filling in for an injured Matt Prater and hitting a 50-yard field goal but missing one of his three extra points.
The 28-year-old later joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 but lost the preseason kicking competition to Chase McLaughlin, prompting his release.
Blankenship resurfaced in 2025 with the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks, coached by former New York Jets tight end Anthony Becht. He excelled, converting more than 95% of his field goal attempts, including a long of 56 yards, with his only miss coming from beyond 50.
Mevis, 23, signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri following the 2024 NFL draft but was waived before the start of the regular season.
Over four seasons at Missouri, Mevis appeared in 50 games, converting 84% of his field goal attempts with a long of 61 yards and hitting 99.3% of his extra-point attempts.
In 10 games with the Birmingham Stallions this season, Mevis connected on 95.2% of his field goals, including a long of 54 yards.
Following Greg Zuerlein’s turbulent 2024 season, the Jets currently have Anders Carlson and undrafted rookie Caden Davis under contract.
Blankenship or Mevis could have a realistic opportunity to compete for a wide-open starting job and earn their spot on the Jets’ 90-man roster this summer.