INDIANAPOLIS — Chase McLaughlin was all but anonymous coming out of college. Barely known outside of the University of Illinois. No all-star showcase invites. No NFL Combine invite.
Rodrigo Blankenship was a rock star. As famous as a college kicker can be. Famous enough to have two nicknames — Hot Rod and Rec Specs. Made kicks in the SEC title game, the Rose Bowl, the national championship game. The Georgia legend kicked in the Senior Bowl, kicked at the Combine.
The two men vying to replace the greatest kicker of all time are very different.
Right down to the way they do the job.