Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Ryan Eckley Named Freshman All-American by The Athletic
12/8/2023 3:19:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State redshirt freshman punter Ryan Eckley has been named a first-team Freshman All-American by The Athletic.
Eckley, a native of Lithia, Florida, ranks second in the Big Ten Conference and seventh in the FBS with his 46.8-yard punting average, which was the fifth-longest average in MSU single-season history.
Named to the Ray Guy Midseason Award Watch List, Eckley also ranks second in the Big Ten in 50-plus yard punts (24) and fourth in punts inside the 20 (23). He also had four punts of 60-plus yards and 15 inside the 10-yard line.
Eckley ended the season on a strong note by pinning at least one punt inside the 20 in each of the last six games, including 15 punts inside the 20 in the last five games. He saved one of his best performances for last, booming a season-high six punts for 50-plus yards in the regular-season finale vs. Penn State for a 54.0-yard average, including two of 60-plus yards, highlighted by his final punt of the night going for 63 yards.
Eckley was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection last week by the league's coaches and media, and by The Associated Press earlier this week.
Eckley, a native of Lithia, Florida, ranks second in the Big Ten Conference and seventh in the FBS with his 46.8-yard punting average, which was the fifth-longest average in MSU single-season history.
Named to the Ray Guy Midseason Award Watch List, Eckley also ranks second in the Big Ten in 50-plus yard punts (24) and fourth in punts inside the 20 (23). He also had four punts of 60-plus yards and 15 inside the 10-yard line.
Eckley ended the season on a strong note by pinning at least one punt inside the 20 in each of the last six games, including 15 punts inside the 20 in the last five games. He saved one of his best performances for last, booming a season-high six punts for 50-plus yards in the regular-season finale vs. Penn State for a 54.0-yard average, including two of 60-plus yards, highlighted by his final punt of the night going for 63 yards.
Eckley was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection last week by the league's coaches and media, and by The Associated Press earlier this week.
Players Mentioned
Pat Fitzgerald | Signing Day Press Conference | Feb. 4 2026
Wednesday, February 04
A New Era | Pat Fitzgerald's First Day in East Lansing
Wednesday, December 03
Pat Fitzgerald | Football Press Conference | Dec. 2nd, 2025
Tuesday, December 02
Jonathan Smith Postgame Comments | Maryland
Saturday, November 29



