2014 NFL Draft: Nate Freese talks about being picked by Lions

Below is a recap of what kicker Nate Freese had to say about being picked in the seventh round by the Detroit Lions last Saturday. (Quotes provided by the Lions.)

On if he expected to be drafted today: "Not really. I mean, I heard some teams were interested, but I was expecting whatever. I think it's pretty awesome that it happened."

On what teams called him: "I worked out with six or seven teams and I've heard from three of them."

On what the Lions told him on his visit: "Coach (John) Bonamego said he would like to draft me, but it depended on how things worked out. He couldn't say it for sure. Everything worked out and it happened."

On his kicking range: "Last year we didn't have many opportunities for longer kicks, but I'm pretty confident and I know my teammates were confident that if coach had put me in a situation, I could kick a lot longer."

On how comfortable he is right now to kick in the NFL: "Yeah, if need be, I could go that range. It depends on the circumstances like the weather."

On how he will adjust to kicking indoors: "It will be pretty nice. The past four years I've been in Boston under not ideal situations. The stadium is really windy and cold, so I'm really excited to be playing indoors."

On his experience helping with outdoor games this season: "Yes, definitely. It will give me a good advantage going into those games."

On working out with Lions Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego: "Coach Bonamego came out to see me and work me out. He was one of the first to come out to see me. We got along really well right away and I really like him. I'm really excited to work with him."

On being so accurate as a kicker: "I think it goes back to training and muscle memory. I try to tell myself to do the same things every time and I don't even really have to think about it."

On his favorite NFL kicker growing up: "I would say Phil Dawson growing up. I'm from Cleveland and he had been there a really long time. I kind of looked up to him."

On watching former Lions K Jason Hanson growing up: "He had a 21-year career. In order to do that, you have to be consistent and not many guys have done that. I really admire his consistency over the years."

On if he has ever met Hanson: "Yeah, I met him when I was up in Detroit."

On his interaction with Hanson: "It was pretty incredible to meet him. He has a lot of knowledge that he shared with me and he helped me out. He was around the day I worked out here in Detroit. He stopped by and said hello."

On ending up at Boston College: "I didn't have many offers coming out, just four, with Boston being one of them. Their academics were good and that stood out to me."

On being closer to his family that still live in Cleveland: "Yes, I'm very excited and my family is very excited. It's probably about a two-and-a-half hour drive."

On if he watched the Draft: "Yes, I watch every year, every round. I'm really into football."