The Cleveland Browns signed kicker Andre Szmyt on Thursday, according to NBC Sports.
Szmyt has never appeared in an NFL game. The right-footed kicker will turn 27 in September.
The former Syracuse star spent the 2024 spring season in the UFL but wasn’t on a roster this spring.
Szmyt made an immediate impact at Syracuse as a freshman in 2018. He connected on 30-of-34 field goals and all 61 extra point attempts that season.
He became the first freshman to win the Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker.
Szmyt remained with the Orange for four more seasons. While he never matched that freshman performance, he stayed consistent throughout his college career.
He finished 85-for-105 on field goals (81%) and 199-for-203 on extra points (98%) over five seasons.
The Chicago Bears gave Szmyt a tryout in 2023, but he didn’t make the roster.
Dustin Hopkins is expected to be Cleveland’s starting kicker entering the season. The veteran struggled late in 2023, which could open the door for competition during training camp.
Szmyt will get another shot to prove he can transition his college success to the professional level.
