Michigan State’s Defense and Special Teams Shine in Big Ten Honors
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State may not have had the season it hoped for in 2025, but the Big Ten took notice of some serious individual talent on the Spartans’ roster. Leading the charge was punter Ryan Eckley, who capped off a stellar campaign by being named the Big Ten Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media - a rare consensus nod that underscores just how dominant he was in the third phase of the game.
Joining Eckley in the postseason spotlight were linebackers Jordan Hall and Wayne Matthews III, both of whom earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. Hall was recognized by both the coaches and media, while Matthews III earned his nod from the media.
Let’s break down what made these three Spartans stand out in a season full of challenges.
Ryan Eckley: The Big Ten’s Best Boot
If you watched Michigan State games this year, you probably saw a lot of Ryan Eckley - and not just because the offense stalled. The redshirt junior didn’t just flip the field; he flipped the script on what it means to be a weapon on special teams.
Eckley led the Big Ten and ranked second nationally with a booming 48.5-yard average per punt. That’s not just good - that’s game-changing.
He had 23 punts travel 50 yards or more, a full nine more than the next closest punter in the conference. And it wasn’t all about distance.
He showed precision, too, pinning 20 punts inside the 20-yard line, including 10 inside the 10. Four of those were downed at the 1-yard line - twice against Boston College, and once each against Western Michigan and Iowa.
This kind of consistency wasn’t new for Eckley. He’s now a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and becomes just the second Spartan to ever win the Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year award (joining Bryce Baringer in 2022). His career average of 47.7 yards per punt now sits atop Michigan State’s all-time leaderboard and is also the best in Big Ten history - surpassing Iowa’s Tory Taylor.
Eckley’s resume this season includes 49 punts for 2,378 yards, a season-long of 60 yards, and just one touchback. He had at least one punt of 50+ yards in nine different games and logged five games with three or more punts of 50+ yards. When it comes to flipping the field and controlling momentum, few in the country did it better.
Jordan Hall: The Heart of the Spartan Defense
Jordan Hall, a junior linebacker and team captain, was the engine that kept Michigan State’s defense running. He led the team in total tackles (88), and his stat sheet tells the story of a player who did a little bit of everything - and did it well.
Hall tied for third in the Big Ten with three forced fumbles, a stat that also placed him inside the top 20 nationally. He ranked 11th in the conference in total tackles and was a steady presence all season long, starting all 12 games and logging 643 snaps - second-most among Spartan linebackers.
His ability to impact games showed up early in the season, when he earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 15-tackle performance against Boston College. That was one of six games in which he either led or shared the team lead in tackles. Hall also tied for the team lead in sacks (2.5), interceptions (1), and fumble recoveries (1), while ranking third on the team in tackles for loss (4.5).
He’s not just a stat-stuffer - he’s a tone-setter. Hall’s leadership and versatility were invaluable to a defense that leaned on him in just about every situation.
Wayne Matthews III: The Veteran Workhorse
In his fifth year of college football, Wayne Matthews III brought a level of experience and durability that coaches dream about. The redshirt senior started all 12 games and played 699 defensive snaps - the most among MSU linebackers and second-most on the entire defense.
Matthews posted 73 total tackles, including 4.5 for loss, and added an interception and a pass breakup. He ranked 24th in the Big Ten in total tackles and was tied for 11th in the league in tackle assists. His 32 solo stops placed him third on the team, and he was a consistent presence throughout the year, logging five or more tackles in 10 of the 11 games he finished.
Down the stretch, Matthews showed his stamina and reliability, playing all but two snaps across Michigan State’s final four games - including every single defensive play against Maryland and Michigan. He also led or shared the team lead in tackles three times, including back-to-back games against Iowa and Penn State.
Over his five-year collegiate career, which included a stint at Old Dominion before transferring to MSU, Matthews racked up 254 total tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His production and leadership helped stabilize a defense that was often under pressure.
Final Thoughts
While the 2025 season may not have delivered the win-loss record Spartan fans hoped for, these three players gave Michigan State plenty to be proud of. Ryan Eckley redefined what it means to be a special teams weapon, Jordan Hall emerged as a do-it-all leader in the heart of the defense, and Wayne Matthews III anchored the linebacker corps with toughness and experience.
They didn’t just put up numbers - they made impact plays that flipped fields, ended drives, and set the tone for the rest of the team. And in a year where every inch mattered, that kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed. The Big Ten certainly took note.