Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the NFL draft Saturday with the No. 211 overall pick. Just two selections earlier, Eckley’s teammate Matt Gulbin was drafted by the Washington Commanders, giving the Spartans a brief presence on day three of the draft.
Eckley became the seventh punter ever drafted out of Michigan State. A native of Lithia, Florida, he led the FBS in punting during the 2025 season with a career‑best average of 48.5 yards per punt, the second‑highest single‑season mark in program history. His performance earned him Big Ten Punter of the Year honors and multiple All‑American selections.
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(CONTINUED) Known for his situational precision, Eckley led the Big Ten with 23 punts of 50 yards or more and recorded 20 punts inside the 20-yard line, including 10 inside the 10 and four downed at the 1. One of the top performances of his career came in a double‑overtime win over Boston College, when he averaged 54.7 yards per punt and pinned every kick inside the 20, earning Ray Guy Award National Punter of the Week recognition.
Eckley declared for the 2026 NFL draft after his junior season, finishing his Michigan State career with a 47.6‑yard punting average, the best in program history and the highest ever recorded in the Big Ten. He later received invitations to the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine and now heads to Baltimore with a résumé built on consistency and field‑position impact.
