Blake Gillikin Bio
Blake Thomas Gillikin (born January 21, 1998) is an American professional football punter for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 89 kilograms, he plays the specialist role with a left-footed delivery developed during a decorated amateur career in Georgia and Pennsylvania. A former Penn State Nittany Lions standout, Gillikin has built his pro reputation on directional punting and consistent placement inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Early Life and Background
Blake Thomas Gillikin was born on January 21, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in nearby Smyrna. He attended The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, a private institution known for combining rigorous academics with strong athletic programs. As a multi-sport high schooler, Gillikin quickly emerged as one of the top kicking specialists in the southeastern United States.
During his prep career, Gillikin helped lead The Westminster Schools to its first GHSA Football Class AAA Georgia State Championship since 1978 in 2015. That title run established him as a five-star punter and a five-star kicker according to Kohl’s Kicking Camp, one of the country’s leading specialist rankings. His ability to flip the field and produce touchbacks on kickoffs made him a coveted college recruit.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school as a consensus top-rated punting prospect, Gillikin fielded multiple scholarship offers before committing to Penn State. The Nittany Lions’ history of producing NFL-caliber specialists, combined with a competitive Big Ten schedule, made the program an ideal fit for his development. He enrolled at Penn State and immediately joined a roster that needed a long-term answer at punter.
Gillikin earned the starting punting job early in his college career and held it through four consecutive seasons. That continuity allowed him to refine his mechanics, build trust with long snappers, and adjust to varying weather conditions across Big Ten stadiums. By the time he declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, he had already established himself as one of the most accurate directional punters in Penn State history.
Blake Gillikin Career
Early Career (2020)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Blake Thomas Gillikin signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2020. His initial Saints tenure was brief, as he was placed on injured reserve on September 9 of that year. The rookie season provided limited regular-season action, but it gave Gillikin a foothold in the league and time to adjust to the speed of professional football operations.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Blake Thomas Gillikin was named the Saints’ starting punter for the 2021 season after the team released longtime starter Thomas Morstead in the offseason. That promotion placed him at the center of the Saints’ coverage and field-position game. Over the next two seasons, he proved durable and reliable, helping New Orleans manage close contests with his placement work.
Following the 2022 season, Gillikin did not receive a qualifying offer and became a free agent on March 15, 2023. Just one day later, on March 16, he re-signed with the Saints, signaling the organization’s continued faith in his ability. That reunion was short-lived, however, as he was waived on August 29 after losing the punting competition to Lou Hedley. The release ended his time in New Orleans but kept him available for opportunities elsewhere.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
On October 3, 2023, Blake Thomas Gillikin was signed by the Arizona Cardinals, launching the next phase of his professional career. With Arizona, he stepped into a featured specialist role and contributed to the team’s field-position battles in the NFC West. His accuracy and hang time quickly became valuable assets for a Cardinals special teams unit looking for consistency.
In Week 9 of the 2024 season, Gillikin punted four times with three inside the 20-yard line in a 29-9 win over the Chicago Bears. That performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition, marking one of the early highlights of his Arizona tenure. Heading into 2025, he remained entrenched as the Cardinals’ primary punter.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blake Thomas Gillikin is best known as a directional punter who prioritizes placement over raw distance. His ability to consistently angle kicks toward the sideline and down opponents inside the 20-yard line has defined his professional value. Coaches have also praised his composure under pressure, an asset that pairs well with a coverage unit tasked with limiting return yards.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Gillikin’s 2024 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award stands out as confirmation of his NFL-level impact. Reaching that honor in his first full season as Arizona’s lead punter underscored the trust he had earned from the Cardinals’ coaching staff. Each milestone has reinforced his standing as a reliable specialist in a league that demands precision.
Blake Gillikin Career Wins
Blake Thomas Gillikin’s professional resume is built on consistent specialist contributions rather than win-loss records. Across his stints with the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals, he has been a steady presence on special teams, helping both franchises win the field-position battle. His 2024 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor marked a clear individual breakthrough, while multiple seasons of dependable placement work have provided his teams with a quieter but meaningful edge.
NFL Highlights
Blake Thomas Gillikin’s first NFL extended action came with the New Orleans Saints after being named the team’s starting punter for the 2021 season. His most recent standout performance arrived in Week 9 of the 2024 season, when three of his four punts were downed inside the 20-yard line against the Chicago Bears. That game earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and signaled his arrival as a difference-maker in Arizona.
Blake Gillikin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Blake Thomas Gillikin’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Smyrna, Georgia, and attended The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, where his development as a specialist was supported by his family and local coaches. The specifics of his parents and any broader athletic lineage have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Details about Blake Thomas Gillikin’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly confirmed. His professional social media presence reflects his identity as an NFL specialist and former Penn State standout. Any further family information has not been disclosed in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought another chapter for Blake Thomas Gillikin with the Arizona Cardinals, where he continued to handle primary punting duties early in the year. His established track record of dropping punts inside the 20-yard line remained a focal point for a Cardinals special teams unit looking to control field position in the NFC West. Early-season performances reinforced his reputation as a steady veteran presence on coverage teams.
On October 11, 2025, Gillikin was placed on injured reserve due to a lingering back injury, interrupting his season. The placement reflected a cautious approach by the Cardinals regarding a long-term back issue that had affected him late in his career arc. While he was sidelined, his prior body of work ensured his standing within the organization as a trusted specialist.
Looking beyond the injury, Gillikin’s trajectory in Arizona remains positive given his 2024 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor and his four years of starting experience at Penn State. If he returns healthy, he is positioned to reclaim his starting role and continue shaping the Cardinals’ field-position game. His mix of placement accuracy, poise, and special teams intelligence should keep him in the mix as a long-term NFL punter.