Ryan Eckley isn’t just following in Bryce Baringer’s footsteps - he’s sprinting down the same path and leaving his own mark along the way. The Michigan State punter has mirrored Baringer’s rise from college standout to NFL prospect, and now he’s got the résumé - and the opportunity - to prove he’s next in line for a shot at the pros.
Just like Baringer before him, Eckley is heading to the Senior Bowl, the premier showcase for NFL Draft hopefuls. It’s the week where top college talent converges in Mobile, Alabama, to practice in front of scouts, meet with NFL teams, and cap it all off with Saturday’s game at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The practices run Tuesday through Thursday, and they’re often just as important as the game itself when it comes to draft stock. The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m.
ET and will be broadcast on NFL Network.
Eckley will suit up for the National team, becoming the first Spartan to earn a Senior Bowl invite since 2023 - the same year Baringer and wide receiver Jayden Reed represented Michigan State. That makes Eckley the 90th Spartan to be selected for the event, a number that speaks to the program’s long tradition of sending talent to the next level.
The Florida native made his Senior Bowl case impossible to ignore with a monster 2025 season. He led the entire FBS in punting average at 48.5 yards per punt - a number that doesn’t just look good on paper, it flipped field position week after week. That kind of consistency and leg power earned him Big Ten Punter of the Year honors, plus All-American nods from multiple outlets, including ESPN and the American Football Coaches Association (second team), and the Associated Press (third team).
Eckley’s rise wasn’t a one-year wonder, either. He was already on radars in 2024, when he averaged 47.9 yards per punt and earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition. His career average of 47.6 yards is now the best in Michigan State history - a testament to both his leg strength and his ability to pin opponents deep.
The parallels to Baringer are hard to miss. Baringer parlayed his own standout MSU career into a sixth-round selection by the New England Patriots in 2023. Fast forward to now, and he’s preparing to punt in the biggest game of them all - the Super Bowl - as the Patriots get ready to face the Seattle Seahawks on February 8.
Eckley’s journey is still unfolding, but the foundation is there. He’s got the production, the accolades, and now, the platform.
The Senior Bowl is his chance to show NFL teams what he can do against elite competition, in front of decision-makers who matter. If he delivers in Mobile, don’t be surprised if his name is called in April - and if he follows Baringer not just into the NFL, but into a meaningful role on Sundays.