Cleveland Browns superstar DE Myles Garrett is poised to break the single-season sack record, while the 3-8 team struggles through quarterback controversies, but one under-the-radar UFL player, Andre Szmyt, has quietly become the team’s top scorer. Accounting for 37% of the team’s total points this season, the former St. Louis Battlehawks kicker has been lighting up Cleveland’s scoreboard.
Former UFL Standout Andre Szmyt Is Kicking His Way To NFL Success
Converting 16 of 19 field goal attempts along with 18 of 19 extra points, 27-year-old Szmyt is making the most of his NFL opportunity. While six NFL kickers have already converted 60-yard-plus field goals this season, he hasn’t had the opportunity for a 60-yard boot. However, Szmyt has three 50-yard-plus scores to his credit, including a game-winning 55-yarder. It’s only a matter of time before the former Syracuse star joins the 60-yard club.
Szmyt, The College Years
As a college freshman, Szmyt thrived with the Orangemen and was a unanimous choice for All-American honors. Converting 30 of 34 field goals, including a 54-yarder and all 61 extra points, he was the 2018 winner of the Lou Groza award. The honor is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate kicker. Previous winners include Oakland Raiders Pro Bowl kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who won the award in both 1998 and 1999, as well as Ka’imi Fairbairn and Matt Gay.
However, despite his obvious talent, Szmyt wasn’t selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Had it not been for the UFL, he might never have had the opportunity to kick in the NFL. Signed by the Chicago Bears in May of 2023 as an undrafted free agent, he was waived before the beginning of the season. After spending the 2023 NFL season on the outside looking in, Szmyt began seeking other opportunities.
A Standout Year In The UFL
In January of 2024, Szmyt signed up for the UFL’s inaugural season. Connecting on 19 of 21 Battlehawks’ field goals with a 61-yarder as his longest, Szmyt was the league’s number one place kicker with 57 points. He was also one of only three UFL kickers to exceed the 60-yard mark.
Szymt’s strong spring showing brought him to the attention of the NFL. Trying out for several different teams, he signed with the Cleveland practice squad in late December only to be released a week later. However, the Browns liked what they saw and signed him to a reserve/futures contract in January of 2025.
Getting An Opportunity to Compete for The Browns’ Starting Assignment
Things were finally looking up for the talented young kicker. Szmyt was looking forward to training camp, knowing he would have an opportunity to compete for the starting assignment in Cleveland. 34-year-old veteran kicker Dustin Hopkins was coming off a rough 2024 season, converting just 18/27 field goals while missing three extra points.
However, tragedy struck on July 10, 2025, just before training camp opened, when Szmyt’s mother passed away from an undiagnosed brain aneurysm. Losing his mother, his self-described ‘biggest supporter,’ has been incredibly difficult.
Nonetheless, drawing upon his mom as motivation, Szmyt went to camp, doing all he could to earn the Browns’ trust. In the final preseason game, he nailed a 37-yard field goal to give the Browns a walk-off 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The following week, Szmyt learned he made the Brown’s 53-man roster.
Making An Impact In The NFL
Although Szmyt’s first week in the NFL was rough with a missed field goal and extra point, he soon began proving himself to the fans. In one memorable game this season, he was the team’s only scorer, accounting for all 9 points with 3/3 field goals in a losing 23-9 effort to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In a season filled with multiple challenges for the struggling team, Szmyt has maintained an extraordinary calm under pressure and continues to deliver. Nathan Zegura of the Cleveland Browns Daily recently interviewed Szymt, asking how he overcame the pressure and dealt with adversity. “That basically sums up the kicking position.” He explained, “You know you have a bad Week 1 and you come back, bounce back, and we hit a game winner, a 55-yarder. It just goes with the position, and you try to stay level-headed.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski had this to say about his young kicker, ”I’m really proud of that young man. I’m happy for that young man. He’s been through a lot, and he came through…You know, this is the NFL. It’s hard. You’re going to go up against some tough teams and some tough matchups, and you have to fight, scratch, and claw.”
Although it’s hard not to see his mom in the stands and there’s no one he would rather share his success with, Szymt says he feels her cheering him on. Drawing upon his faith, the 27-year-old continues to dedicate his season to her. After he kicked the 55-yarder, his head coach gave him the game ball. “You’ve been through a lot,” Stefanski said, “We’ve got your back. And I know who was watching that field goal go through. That was your mom. Congratulations.”
Last weekend, Szmyt played a big role in Cleveland’s huge 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, adding an impressive 53-yard field goal and 3/3 extra points. With Szmyt, Myles Garrett, and one of the NFL’s strongest defenses, along with a talented rookie running back in Quinshon Judkins, the future is looking brighter in Cleveland.
