Jason Hanson fan Kyle Brindza visits Lions

Growing up in Canton, Kyle Brindza was a fan of longtime Lions kicker Jason Hanson.

On Tuesday, the former Notre Dame kicker had a chance to kick where Hanson practiced for years before he retired in 2013.

The Lions hosted Brindza on a pre-draft visit in Allen Park Tuesday. Because Brindza is a local player, he doesn't count as one of the team's 30 allotted visits.

Although the Lions re-signed Matt Prater to a three-year deal this offseason, they're doing homework on kickers as they'd like to have competition for Prater during training camp.

Brindza, who attended Plymouth High, was far from perfect in college and made just 14 of 24 field goals in 2014. But he made 4 of 6 attempts from 50-plus yards in his three years as Notre Dame's kicker. He also punted the last two years, averaging 41.1 yards in 2013 and 41.5 yards in 2014.

Brindza likely won't be drafted, but the Lions could consider him when they sign undrafted free agents. And although Brindza didn't grow up a big Lions fan, he said at the combine he typically tuned in to watch the kickers.

"I grew up a Jason Hanson fan," he said. "I never really had a team growing up but I was always a Jason Hanson fan, just how he went about himself off the field and on the field as well. Great kicker, but even a better person outside in the community."

jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com

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