Get to Know Your Orange Man: #91, K Andre Szmyt

Name: Andre Szmyt

Position: Kicker

Year: (Redshirt) Junior

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 191 lbs.

Hometown: Vernon Hills, Ill.

High School: Vernon Hills

2019 stats: It was always going to be tough to match Szmyt’s record-setting 2018, so we can’t blame him for the numbers falling a bit short of that last year. Still, he was 17-of-20 on field goals and connected on 39 of 40 extra points.

2020 projections: We noted wanting Szmyt to try fewer field goals last year, but were hoping that was because of a better red zone offense. This year, we’ll carry the same wish, but if he wants to add another 17-20 to his already staggering total, that’s fine by us. Expect more of the same excellence from Andre.

How’d he get here?: He had zero scholarship offers but wound up committing to Louisville as a preferred walk-on. However, when Dave Boller left for the Syracuse Orange, he was able to convince Andre to come with. Much appreciated, Dave.

What’d recruiting sites say?: Kohl’s Kicking Camp said four stars, but no one else weighed in. Their loss.

Money quote: That’s certainly one way to get a scholarship. (via the D.O.)

“He never missed,” SU head coach Dino Babers said of Szmyt’s fall camp. “He kind of came out of nowhere.”

Twitter feed: @AndreSzmyt

Tweets of wonder: Mess with Dino’s kicker and you’ll hear about it...

What movie would Dino recommend for him?: The 1994 kids’ movie Andre tells the true story of a seal that befriends a young girl and her family in the 1960s. It’s doubtful that this relates much to football or Szmyt’s own life, but it’s an easy watch and Andre’s a pretty zen guy.

Interesting nugget o’interest: Andre thinks Bull and Bear Roadhouse is superior to Dinosaur, and both he and former Orange punter Sterling Hofrichter swear by the cornbread.

Let’s get a look at ya: Here’s Szmyt, happening.