Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley declared for the 2026 NFL Draft

Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley came to East Lansing with no hype or viral commitment, but rather as a walk-on with a strong leg and work ethic. Eckley’s 2025 season has placed him as the second-best punter in the entire FBS in terms of yard per punt, trailing by just 0.2 yards. Now, the star punter is forgoing his last year of collegiate eligibility and instead is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Eckley is closing the book on his collegiate career and looking to the professional level as one of the most efficient FBS punters in the country when it comes to flipping the field. He leaves the Green and White with 149 career punts, averaging 46.7 yards per kick. What he has accomplished has built him one of the most impressive punting resumes in the country.

During the 2025 season alone, despite team adversity as the team finished 4-8 with just one Big Ten win, Eckley was thriving in individual statistics. He averaged 48.5 yards per punt on 49 total punts, and only allowing one touchback. In addition, 20 of his 49 (40.82%) punts fell inside the 20-yard line, one of the best percentages in the country. 

One of Eckley’s most notable performances came in Week Two of the season against Boston College. The Spartans won the matchup 42-40 in double overtime, and in a game where special teams are rarely mentioned, Eckley was one of the highlights. He put all three of his punts inside the 20-yard line for zero returned yards, with two punts being downed at the 1-yard line.

Following the game against the Eagles, Eckley was named as the Ray Guy Award National Punter of the Week, as he averaged 54.7 yards per punt in that contest. This wasn’t the only accolade Eckley picked up this season. He started off turning heads when he was named a preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation and The Associated Press (second team). 

What has been most impressive about Eckley's season is his being named the Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year. This annual award is reserved for the best punter in the entire Big Ten conference, and Ryan Eckley took it home, as well as becoming a first-team All-Big Ten selection. 

Eckley was also a preseason All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele and USA Today (first team), as well as an All-American honorable mention selection by Phil Steele in 2024. Even back in his redshirt freshman year in 2023, Eckley was named as a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and The Athletic.

One of the biggest accomplishments for Eckley came in early November, when he was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. This trophy is given to only the most outstanding football players in America who began their careers as walk-ons and have since shown outstanding performances on the field. Eckley joined 79 players nominated for this award. 

After a final year in the Green and White of proving why he is the best in his position, Eckley will move on to focus on the NFL Draft with his complete collegiate portfolio and national recognition of his development and ability. No matter where he lands, his legacy will be set in East Lansing.