Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse football placekicker Andre Szmyt has earned a scholarship, head coach Dino Babers said on Monday.

Szmyt, a redshirt freshman, "came out of nowhere" to win the starting job during preseason camp, Babers said previously. Then he turned in a near-perfect first half of the season, making 16-of-17 field goals and all 30 of his extra points.

Earlier on Monday, Szmyt garnered midseason All-American honors from ESPN.com and Sporting News.

Just six weeks ago, Szmyt was unknown in the college football community outside of SU's locker room.

Originally a Louisville commit, he followed former Orange director of player personnel Dave Boller to Central New York after a visit two summers ago. Szmyt said previously that the school's academics, as well as the soon-to-graduate starting kicker, Cole Murphy, made Syracuse an appealing destination.

After redshirting last year, Szmyt gained consistency in his mechanics during offseason training. Then he blew away the coaching staff during camp, rarely missing kicks and passing every test he was given.

Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig told Szmyt that he earned the opportunity during the week before the WMU game.

"It was now or never basically," Szmyt said previously. "I needed to compete. I needed to make my kicks and be consistent."

Szmyt becomes the second preferred walk-on to be given a scholarship by Babers this year, following fullback/tight end Kyle Kleinberg.

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Stephen Bailey covers Syracuse football for The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can also be reached anytime via email.