The Big Ten's all-time punting leader who became the first punter drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ryan Eckley walked on at Michigan State and left as the Big Ten's career leader in punting average, earning a sixth-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2026 NFL Draft. He steps in to handle Baltimore's punting duties as a rookie.
Path to the league
Eckley arrived at Michigan State as a preferred walk-on out of Newsome High School in Lithia, Florida, after earning five-star punter ratings in high school. He developed into the Spartans' starting punter by 2023 and was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round, 211th overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft, the first punter off the board that year.
Career highlights
Eckley averaged 46.8 yards per punt as a first-time starter in 2023, earning Freshman All-American honors, then led the Big Ten with a 47.9-yard average in 2024 and earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition. He finished his college career with a 47.6 yards-per-punt average, the top mark in both Michigan State program history and Big Ten history.
2025 season recap
Eckley's senior season was his best yet: his 48.5-yard punting average led the FBS, and his 23 punts of 50-plus yards led the Big Ten. He earned consensus First Team All-Big Ten honors, AFCA Second Team All-American recognition and AP Third Team All-American honors, capped by winning Big Ten Punter of the Year.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Ryan Eckley
- NFL.com: Ravens select Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Punter
- Group
- specialTeam
- College
- Michigan State
- Hometown
- Lithia, FL, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
